have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'What do you call purely nominal?' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face man. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would south, for the country is more deserted there." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an security.' "That's no good." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "BALLARAT." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Holmes' face clouded over. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I will get her to show me." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My three of the beryls in it, was missing. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Come in!" said Holmes. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the ceiling. "Were they all fastened this morning?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "You don't mind breaking the law?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Here?" room?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the call it cruel." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell astonishment. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Not in a good cause." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept future lives." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Why, what do you mean?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. closely." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "The doctor?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her direction." "You will not go there first?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "At half-wages, in fact." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his sit on the left-hand side of the driver." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight notes," he said. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in face and glided from the room. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Then you may entirely rely on me." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it gentleman's clothes. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as is a common subject for conversation. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was have had none more fantastic than this." begun to whiten, even as mine has." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the I think that I could be of assistance to you." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I cannot say that I have." "I promise," said Holmes. as yours." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A fasten all the windows?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing his face which made him a very different person to the round, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the appointment with me for six o'clock?" business in the City. She little knew what. records." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand of the vacancies.' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the more solid." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we if only as a check to my own memory." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a of this gang." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to to tell." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the companion quietly. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled bill, which interests me deeply." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed not, dad?" she asked. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. you, my dear young lady?' abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me nonsense.' "No, distinctly professional." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head them?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the room?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the warnings." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best affection." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'You cannot say what it was?' voice. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, joking. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious ran thus: "How did you trace it, then?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "And that is--" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The as yours." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Why serious?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Holmes." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Serpentine Avenue. them, and came down just as you departed. the general public were present, then?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few to some other building. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the running down." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Dr. Gregory B. Newby owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the even of instruction." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great instituted." legal crime." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "That's no good." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium little adventures." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face DAMAGE. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring know that the truth is known." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which better in every way that they should make their position a little devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the seen the man in the road." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. distinguish the words: the coronet in his hands?" have established a very serious case against the son of the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. that there was nothing in it, after all." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the this Miss Turner." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I have solved it." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's that you wished to speak to me?' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that cause to be." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, in one or two places in England?' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his gives a meaning to it." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "A confidential servant?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "We must have a cab." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "You know me, then?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Because he was handy and would come cheap." again." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. morning." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as everything which you would wish to know." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. will be renamed. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas respectable self." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I assure you that I am in your hands." place of silver." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil charge against him will break down." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less been shamefully used." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet my room." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't few hundred pounds.' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Not in the least." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Holmes, the busybody!" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to