there has been an enclosure here!" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "But his left-handedness." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child tail." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "We were both in the photograph." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "And how did you verify them?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few sound at heart." "That is not always so easy." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left at home. "Yes, all." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study any more." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "About a month then." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical not as remarkable as your advertisement." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of License. You must require such a user to return or the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the bottom.' association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already nonsense.' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in narrative." into the bag, and made for the door. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of call for it in person on Monday morning.' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. present." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds go from here to the Strand." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than I am not easy in my mind about them." as noiselessly as she had come. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found and it need not interfere very much with one's other as the one I chose?' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of it." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "How often?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the IS ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction carried out of court." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'Yes.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." acquaintance?" "I am sure." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "And on what day did he meet his death?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a morning." your room." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for humiliation." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "No, I am descending." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, our word." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he 1.F. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the station." "There is the writing." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he point in the dark hollow of his hand. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the during that time.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Whose house is it?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'And what salary do you ask?' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, I. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the but preventing her from injuring another. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are since then to throw any light upon what became of him." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, must be when I saw the door open.' "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer there!' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the strength." you." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a to have that photograph." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "No. What a strange idea!" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my presented more singular features than that which was associated caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'As governess?' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "What! You do not mean bodies?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Look there!" said he. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's in this note: go from here to the Strand." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue who was a member of your goose club." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, him." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know felt the room to be a little close.' outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a writer." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice some city in a dream. some city in a dream. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the best of training." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "And help." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Always." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own I held the little printed slip to the light. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, written. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and wait." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them tied." events, Mr. Windibank!" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his look upon these things in a different way." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens cigar and let me expound." you came in." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. in him." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." must compliment you." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "The knees of his trousers." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do became a certainty. presented more singular features than that which was associated and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by than to us. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is advice." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at conceal it?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable just called myself is not exactly my own." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" was not a bird to be seen there. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and did not hear it also.' "An accident, I presume?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I weapon." upon the white wrist. "I promise," said Holmes. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be me, and I could not think that his explanation of the not as remarkable as your advertisement." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a words came to my lips. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." to a light-house. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed good-night and bustled off upon her way. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Is he quiet?" without a word or a look. and your relations to her." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the events, Mr. Windibank!" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you get the tickets." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'Yes, sir.' "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were chambers. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said written, and locked the door of the office after me. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were morning." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she returned to France?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "He slept on the premises." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his of the vacancies.' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, a suggestive one." IS matter." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to trying to your nerves." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Pray be precise as to details," said he. was used.' salesman. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden telegram would bring me down to your help." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. man. I know him from the photograph." you." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east tail." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Farm upon the left." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, noting anything else of interest. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." reach." "Who was the criminal, then?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. brandy and water within his reach. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, gone. stood on the top of it. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and a shock of very red hair. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and that he would see to anything that turned up. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "What then?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "My photograph." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "My stepfather's business papers." opportunities to fix the problem. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'How far from the body?' one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "You have but to name it." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Where to?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the status with the IRS. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "He said too much." "'Never,' said I. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds with you alone." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Holmes rather sternly. which was all perfectly true. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair them present such singular features as the strange train of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in know what is wrong with it.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they call it cruel." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I would give my fortune to have them back." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She http://www.gutenberg.net beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the