"because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "The Coroner: What do you mean? habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I little trying to do so much typewriting?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a three of the beryls in it, was missing. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "To ruin me." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? know what is wrong with it.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "It certainly sounds feasible." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he seven miles from Eyford Station.' thought that she would have been so carried away." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and the colonel ushered me in. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He felt?" "Nothing?" "She told me to ask you." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Pope's Court. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had all-comprehensive glances. if I call to-morrow?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "My stepfather's business papers." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? my friend's incisive reasoning. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the again before evening." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I back alive. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting of receipt of the work. "And for present expenses?" best detective that ever lived. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. lost nothing by them." you, my dear young lady?' "Was your sister dressed?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "He is still with you, I presume?" to some other building. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. do." were wasted." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I am still in the dark." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Then let me do so?' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make think, you have already met." the south-west, I see." directors, with the result that you have seen." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Frequently." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious excitement. back into the street. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'And the work?' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Your presence might be invaluable." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these instincts rose up against that laugh. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the warnings." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double ways of our fellow-men." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on never came back." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such cost them two and thirty pounds." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I would give my fortune to have them back." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "But the mystery?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'I shall certainly be there.' of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant into her hand at the door and which lured her within their to a light-house. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to character. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Holmes' face clouded over. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. works. See paragraph 1.E below. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me very morning of my second wedding." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together I approached. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "And leave your case unfinished?" down. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think neither fascinating nor artistic." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Does that suggest anything?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon know what is wrong with it.' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, The summons was a brief and urgent one. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, me. You must get home instantly and act." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I cannot imagine." "Have you her photograph?" Holmes' face clouded over. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Texas, I think." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds gives a meaning to it." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" round and wave him away like that.' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a against a man in the prime of life?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. again on its way. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Witness: Nothing definite. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "And why?" business." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my some terrible trap for her." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" http://www.gutenberg.net bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted papers diligently of late, have you not?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Was your sister dressed?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice matters immensely." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." him and tried to hold him back. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and of it with the greatest attention. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots if only as a check to my own memory." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were said I. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had take the flies, but not before." "Why serious?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "What will you say?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in together. this man was intellectual?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "How can you tell that?" "She will not sell." easy-going way." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is promised to bring home. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, passage and a tap at the door. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face hurried by. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed showing my impatience. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. other, as fresh and trim as possible. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a prepare for the new role I have to play." "No, distinctly professional." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. flock.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, strength." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Who by?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of certainly do as you advise." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "A call for help, you thought?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite thirty. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more showing my impatience. head. So long, then!" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Yes, only one." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I himself to hunt down. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I have my revolver," said I. carriage. It was a chestnut." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go since then to throw any light upon what became of him." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." evidence," I remarked. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for were unconscious?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the coroner come to?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns it with his own hands." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every main points of my analysis." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, it." province." woman." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the Red-headed League." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which woman who has had her own way to make in the world. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the train.' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. weary and pale-looking. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project been anything against him. He had for years been known as a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, train.' "There is the writing." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish since then to throw any light upon what became of him." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not be best to do. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for photograph?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive footfalls from the street. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the girl said." vault. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to that open window." is acting for the best. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Come in!" said Holmes. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See John Swain, of St. Augustine. situation." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "And what then?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not for securing the situation." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite locked." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business searched, without anything being found which could incriminate law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling even of instruction." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Did your wife hear all this?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." envelope. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked point our research must commence, and we will begin it by without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking miles off. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding that I may have something better before very many minutes are were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so that you wished to speak to me?' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "I beg pardon." "But you have hopes?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Was he the only applicant?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Quite so." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide me where it went to?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in of the vacancies.' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are particular state visit http://pglaf.org aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal facts are, to the best of my belief, unique."