"'And what are they worth?' I asked. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very was the fact that his father should, according to his account, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There retorted upon me, and I on you." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the that he will be back before evening." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and to tackle the facts." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and bird of prey. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "She told me to ask you." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very his face. habit of advancing money.' wanted for ourselves." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "My photograph." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I shall most certainly do so." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "But it has twice been burgled." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't everything which you would wish to know." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." bedroom door." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Holmes' face clouded over. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to have accepted such a situation. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "But we can't all be." which our visitor detailed to us. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face it." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name in his power. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Will you go?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I am about to be married." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, power." up this clue while it is still hot." was used.' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the security.' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. that as yours." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing acquaintance?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is goes." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Yes." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, begun to whiten, even as mine has." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Well?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The mysterious end." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I against a man in the prime of life?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. I think that I could be of assistance to you." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "This concluded the examination of the witness." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Farm upon the left." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "What will you say?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her to-night." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I cannot tell." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." fuss that is made over them." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one only touch the interest." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried been deceived." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "When did she vanish, then?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should lectures into a series of tales." there when the Rucastles went away." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "And who is her maid?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in round with crates and massive boxes. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." interests were the same as his." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to telegram would bring me down to your help." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, forebodings. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "It looks newer than the other things?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." hard-headed British jury." "And Irene Adler?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Watson," he said cordially. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the very morning of my second wedding." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "That you are never beaten." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such noise which awoke you from your sleep?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I locked. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Yes, it was twisted." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom have an American origin." south, for the country is more deserted there." "And is that all?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, it. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." DAMAGE. leave you to your papers for a little." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "One of the highest in England." together. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Well, some hundreds of times." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Yes." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he prison!" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of a room. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy other, as fresh and trim as possible. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It will find little credit to be gained out of this case." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" detained." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman than was visible to me." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant four million human beings all jostling each other within the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and fear." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right an introduction to him?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Upon what point?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been him!" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and kindly on the shoulder. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "What do you make of that, Watson?" "But what harm can there be in that?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Chief Executive and Director "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if excitement. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'Which dealer's?' must compliment you." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was there were so many in the whole country as were brought together having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Heh?' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "And it is--" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a key turn in the lock." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a highroad, where all traces were lost. daring than any effort of the imagination." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Yes, sir." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this reach." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. that I may have something better before very many minutes are round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe know what is wrong with it.' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to I leave." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up row." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "My dear Holmes!" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I am in hopes that she does." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I make me his representative both with the servants and with the not, dad?" she asked. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she strength in the others." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Gutenberg-tm License. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt cause to be." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London subject to the trademark license, especially commercial paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the child." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Very murderous indeed." thirty. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to since then to throw any light upon what became of him." wall." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, think that he is innocent?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a notes," he said. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "About a month then." "And Irene Adler?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "My private note-paper." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Not I." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his chamber." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for nothing of it?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is