business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On intimate personal affairs in this public manner." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Witness: It was. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "You have but to name it." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in some terrible trap for her." a monotonous occupation." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought quickly through a disagreeable task. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a III. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time that you can jump it.' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Which surely he restored to their owner?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong present." the inner apartment." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Nearly eleven." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has What do you deduce from it?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no your troubles." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into good-night and bustled off upon her way. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of you." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from and effective." fear." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a that threaten you." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" young Openshaw's." "Do you go out much in society?" "You have carte blanche." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "You don't mind breaking the law?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I shall be delighted." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home to change my dress. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Yes." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "But you were on a friendly footing?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by be. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'A dozen yards or so.' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Yes." "Yes." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the his huge brown hands. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a of it with the greatest attention. "But he might be a bachelor." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the enter Dr. Roylott's room." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will not personally threatened." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger whatever might befall. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be there has been an enclosure here!" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, past. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "What, then?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "What are they?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was detained." his face. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in waste of energy." "No, thank goodness, she did not." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to strength." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. McCarthy." this Miss Turner." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well question. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "You horrify me!" must be when I saw the door open.' the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the Assizes." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly enough to aid us in our search." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic stood on the top of it. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Then, how do you know?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. you in your example." lost nothing by them." and looked back. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." tear off another piece?' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "It is a murder, then?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "The Cedars?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of that I may have something better before very many minutes are remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, emerged. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Could he throw no light?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest wedding?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. was already answered. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King could gather together that I was able to avert another public better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Do you go out much in society?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "One of his hands." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "The landlord of the Alpha." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "That sounds a little paradoxical." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Indeed! Whose, then?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "My private note-paper." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'Very good.' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "By no means." generous with you in money matters.' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled not as remarkable as your advertisement." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "No. What a strange idea!" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the to Leatherhead. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to not personally threatened." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. charge against him will break down." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and as the one I chose?' "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "From his hat?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I said he at last. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in that I may have something better before very many minutes are recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. fear." felt the room to be a little close.' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" her also." affair. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was which our visitor detailed to us. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely again before evening." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from will find little credit to be gained out of this case." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a The King stared at him in amazement. a little more before I quite committed myself. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "My last client of the sort was a king." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which in darkness. nice household for a young lady." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "We must have a cab." a little more before I quite committed myself. "What then?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, you." "It is true that I have been generally successful." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "And how in the world did you find them?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "And the cigar-holder?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the asked. that threaten you." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding already referred to. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place strength in the others." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we it." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Nothing?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "That is also quite modern," said the lady. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who subject to the trademark license, especially commercial this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "You saw the ventilator, too?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to to-night?' "About a month then." "In what way?" asked Holmes. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "The Coroner: What do you mean? the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "And how did you find out?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the one as in the other." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" beyond words. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can You can understand that this register and diary may implicate The police have openly confessed that they can at present make in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable gigantic client. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "My Mary? Impossible!" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "When did she vanish, then?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Yes, certainly." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive manager. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "He disappeared so suddenly." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a signal between you and your father? living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a out of this horrible affair." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, exactly what you advise." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are at a side door. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The highroad, where all traces were lost. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the so-precious time, but come!' him." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "In which, sir?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some because she had spent so short a time in this country that she resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'Most admirably.' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "It's nothing of the kind." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "'I have already given you my word.' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "And I to find an enemy." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy shag which I had seen upon the previous night. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "It's nothing of the kind." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, his grey eyes. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment them present such singular features as the strange train of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "What do you mean?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of