the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I am about to be married." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let better grown goose." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, was shining brightly. "What can you not understand?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform indeed which he could not unravel. "Look there!" said he. she might be summoned. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, electronic works will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." o'clock is it?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that what I may call a really hard day's work." "No, I think that I'll take it." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the breakfast." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No new acquaintance to Baker Street. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by to miss it." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Sutherland?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, me." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, nonsense.' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' rose-bushes. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, papers diligently of late, have you not?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. be sorry for having acted so harshly." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I should like to see him very much." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and friend's singular character. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "If I can be of use." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'Tell me all about it,' said I. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, that you saw all that I did." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and lost his Christmas dinner." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "It is half-past ten now." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "I cannot imagine." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten nonsense.' "At half-wages, in fact." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I have hopes." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Precisely so. But how--" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "The King of Scandinavia." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." is acting for the best. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "A call for help, you thought?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his o'clock is it?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which his forehead." "My stepfather's business papers." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, where we are going." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn you?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in purpose of examination. into the bag, and made for the door. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" gigantic client. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up McCarthy." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a bonnet, and went out." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very any." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at you came in." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they copied or distributed: reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over fait accompli?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Precisely." morning." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Nothing?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Murdered?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely light and attacked it." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden would then never go into court at all." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy wanted for ourselves." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing in this note: "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late galvanised. IS "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning it." "I see no marks." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a highly," said Holmes. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people hard-headed British jury." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the coroner come to?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet congenial hunt. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, open." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: works. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Do you go out much in society?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Of Friday, June 19th." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Pray do so." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of south, for the country is more deserted there." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "But we can't all be." works. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a of receipt of the work. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Sholtos." not as remarkable as your advertisement." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "9th. McCauley cleared. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" business at Coburg Square is serious." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is my room." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in British peeress.'" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid be sorry for having acted so harshly." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. face and glided from the room. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Stolen, then." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while security.' week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "The best possible." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the house with me." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Surrey." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Where did he live, then?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know closing the door. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than indiscretion." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had visitors." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, bare slabs of marble. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees present." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as delirious. go--none." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man flock.' police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the approach us with offers to donate. "If so, much may have happened between." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! bare slabs of marble. held up the lantern and gazed about him. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "You are hungry," I remarked. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned test if we have an answer to our advertisement." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet make me his representative both with the servants and with the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then do." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." conduct the inquiry." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Just look it up, then." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes once more on the important position which you have been fortunate hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a will take you up to see the machine.' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with right! Sit down and let us talk it over." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Two days later this same performance was gone through under from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," new duties?' "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of you." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," throat." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the away to you." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, suddenly upon us." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by I approached. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Was she in good spirits?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. in a very precise fashion." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "'No, I know no one in these parts.' shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, brain must have something in it." upon an income of about 60 pounds." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining certainly not very gracious." coroner's jury." business matters.' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn awkward doing business with an alias." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. thin legs towards the fire. careless servant girl?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Nothing." prepare for the new role I have to play." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I say that I have solved it." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage frequently gained my first real insight into the character of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" approach us with offers to donate. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land meant it for the best. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Yes." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the nursery. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots forbidden door. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the promised to bring home. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and