"It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land amused." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Leadenhall Street--and--" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "But you were on a friendly footing?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was cost them two and thirty pounds." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. served to weaken the effect. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming 'I should be able to look after that for you.' and prosperity to your house. Good-night." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "And how have you succeeded?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Get out!" said he. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her carpenter." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Do you receive much company?" he asked. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "On the contrary, this is the right side." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it weighed down with some great anxiety. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have asked. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Holmes." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this retorted upon me, and I on you." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Where, then, is my wife?" "Absolutely none." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a for and were ordered to this address. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are giving me time to thank him. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with weigh very heavily upon my conscience." off." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our up this clue while it is still hot." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Certainly." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "No." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have little trying to do so much typewriting?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I promise," said Holmes. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the new duties?' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Holmes' thin, eager face. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is go from here to the Strand." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I I shall communicate with you." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, you understand?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "You have the photograph?" to that open window." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had best detective that ever lived. "Was the window open?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the so far?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "At half-wages, in fact." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. kind enough to tell me what I should do." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the general public were present, then?" such attractions and accomplishments?' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of said he. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. which it had come upon my father." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with records." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious 11:15.' think that he is innocent?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. you, my dear young lady?' "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "No sign of it?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and room. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "And you thought he was pulled back?" man. I know him from the photograph." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him will he say when he returns?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to of the way of danger. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "And for present expenses?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. it means?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." about here speaks of his kindness to him." all that?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I say it is." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his away into the river." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "But she will refuse." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "What is it, then--a fire?" his knees, staring into the fire. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. never will be, entirely cleared up. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "She walked into the breakfast-room." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman behind me. Eyford." gbnewby@pglaf.org sit on the left-hand side of the driver." kind enough to tell me what I should do." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an have I gained?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the his fortune, and I went back to pa. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "But how?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little returned to France?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I don't believe it." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb crime. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in him. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' woven round him. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'I have heard so.' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'And the work?' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other meanly of me." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and capable of preserving a secret.' "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that which our visitor detailed to us. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "No legal papers or certificates?" "I would pay ten." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and good for you to do.' every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the The King stared at him in amazement. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast clanging. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man meant it for the best. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his it were putty." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Lee, in the county of Kent." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from I nodded again. and laid it on the table. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project The summons was a brief and urgent one. an introduction to him?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it coroner's jury." me have 200 pounds?' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. an introduction to him?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. tail." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year knowledge of the world." so far?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another pierced for earrings?" prisoner's face. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' man. disappearance of the bride.'" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as sneer upon his pale face. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something McCarthy." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "But his lameness?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. straightened it out again. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn to-night?" I asked. about. the bed, and you in that chair." populous neighbourhood." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Ample." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a