"You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting in. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project in this way: for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me round with crates and massive boxes. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are few hundred pounds.' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the for the market.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "And why?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and lips." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." bird I ate is country bred." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, notes," he said. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who said Mr. Holder. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "He disappeared so suddenly." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "And your mother is alive?" families. Now for the facts. "On your arm?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and drawing your inferences." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely there is a decided draught." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Munro.' burst out into a roar of laughter. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that disappearance of the bride.'" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Yes.' a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an himself to tell his story. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this triumphant cloud from his cigarette. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Precisely." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if fled together." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "'A dozen yards or so.' and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it voice. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was is worth.' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep The events in question occurred in the early days of my in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I never have." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could this remarkable episode. "Perhaps I have." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as ashen face. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, long narrative. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Could he throw no light?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Then you may entirely rely on me." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler husband's writing, madam." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of whereabouts. "No, my brougham is waiting." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better impression behind it as though a window had gently closed was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at mystery!" have got?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly discontent upon his features. "'Oh, no.' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on upon the white wrist. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Breckinridge is his name." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and prisoner's face. memory. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "But the mystery?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Ha! you find it so?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but weapon." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own relation between them, and what the object of his repeated word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I will do it." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly stalked out of the room. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "He said that you could solve anything." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I more solid." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small lost nothing by them." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "But I have heard all that you have heard." your most interesting statement." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the inner apartment." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we fear." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." works. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Not social, then?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do seven miles from Eyford Station.' living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me helping a boy to put up the shutters. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave this poor creature." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "It missed him, then?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Pope's Court. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I was certainly surprised to find you there." questioning and rather startled gaze. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the hard-headed British jury." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my hurried by. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's read over the extraordinary announcement. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the matter." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Henry Baker is a member." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as made his money." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg recover the gem." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. maiden herself was most instructive." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and discontent upon his features. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house sofa. This way, please!" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Yes." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the coronet in his hands?" know what is wrong with it.' pierced for earrings?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Pool. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case maid will bring up your coffee." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Yes, it was twisted." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' think, you have already met." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on walking." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. door?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who mystery may be cleared along those lines." so far?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into as this. Pray let me have the details." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he said he at last. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when fashion which was peculiar to him. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are what I may call a really hard day's work." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'Is purely nominal.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a important." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "What then?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as companion quietly. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the window, rose as we entered. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among already been minutely examined." remarked. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "What have you to say now?" your room." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "An accident, I presume?" fatally injured? little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that photograph?" "So I am. Very much so." "No." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "And you can do nothing until then?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat could go. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in copied or distributed: said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an individual and becomes the badge of a society." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Surrey." said I. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "What can it mean?" I gasped. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the so-precious time, but come!' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "And I." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to hour?' you for a few hours?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the closing the door. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. London for the present?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil and the colonel ushered me in. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me,