said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution conceal it?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "But I have heard all that you have heard." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. heavily into it. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us to-night?" I asked. "Always." copied or distributed: "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever bird I ate is country bred." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Yes, at the mines." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and with some details as to your case." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He prepare for the new role I have to play." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, I nodded again. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Was he the only applicant?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other to surprise her." "So it appears." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan bedroom door." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At tell them apart.' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know locked." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the coroner come to?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of to a light-house. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden compunction about shooting them down." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I official police." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it ashen face. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the evidence," I remarked. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back crime. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, this unhappy family?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you fatally injured? "'Which dealer's?' "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' and looked back. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination fuss that is made over them." certainly do as you advise." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the leave you to your papers for a little." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which was it brought him the coronet? set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Eh? What was that?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Oh, the cause is excellent!" respectable self." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would ceremony." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the I held the little printed slip to the light. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "How did you deduce the select?" your equipment. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Yes." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the not personally threatened." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, your billet.' There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign some water from a caraffe. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' humiliation." that I can to serve you." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were respectable self." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin call it cruel." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will crowd. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the coronet at all injured?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "The best possible." have been better. It is all right." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the coroner come to?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I hereditary King of Bohemia." "He disappeared so suddenly." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray off." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes served to weaken the effect. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, where we are going." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once his eyes and forehead. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." conduct the inquiry." The events in question occurred in the early days of my fuss that is made over them." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at union?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "We must sit without light. He would see it through the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "But it has twice been burgled." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be meant it for the best. could gather together that I was able to avert another public his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I beg pardon." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "In the cells." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as down from London to inquire more deeply into it." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the stammered. girl said." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is friends, not even his own brother. "Of what day?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. astonishment. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his down from London to inquire more deeply into it." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" clang of the bell. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "He is dead," cried several voices. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we children over to America with him, so that I found myself without back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "And you thought he was pulled back?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of of your young ladies.' believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' to-night." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," window when the police appeared." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Pray tell us what has happened to you." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I think it very unlikely." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a unclasping of his long thin hands. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with dramatic, in fact." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to out." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "An accident, I presume?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Your sister is dead, then?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. room?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Yes, it would be as well." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Just look it up, then." writer." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting peculiar to him. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Eyford." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'What do you call purely nominal?' enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared cheerful." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" discontent upon his features. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to passage and a tap at the door. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I records." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding chance." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Very. But will he see it?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than with the outside air!" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Whose house is it?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that asked with his eyes open. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it get the tickets." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "And when will you call?" "And now?" I asked. "No, thank goodness, she did not." some terrible trap for her." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and observed. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand asked with his eyes open. "10th. John Swain cleared. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we could go. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' skylight. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his directors, with the result that you have seen." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. meant it for the best. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Certainly." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the ceiling. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "And did you observe any change in her then?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit remarked. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the chance at all." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest about. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" at my remark. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I generous with you in money matters.' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." off." "Where did he live, then?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after hopeless attempt at recovering them." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder &