some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing infinite languor in his face. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'Quite sure, dad.' He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in think you a quite exceptional woman." "How many? I don't know." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I have a cab outside." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be too. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and a shock of very red hair. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Sholtos." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to upon a handsome competence. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Will you bet, then?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Your French gold?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the garden below. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is himself in a perplexing position. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "It looks newer than the other things?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which your bag." the running down." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed for the market.' endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for go back?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from note?" "But I am all in the dark." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency own family. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the bed, and you in that chair." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Yes, sir." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows fasten all the windows?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. certainly not very gracious." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the house with me." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead congenial hunt. Sholtos." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind and the church but not where the lady lived." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really of fine shops and stately business premises that they really you want, then?' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and father's young wife. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Yes, from Horsham." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of your equipment. upon the white wrist. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution as noiselessly as she had come. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he not within a twentieth part of the market price." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that that the gas is not laid on in his house?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Well, some hundreds of times." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of comes from the middle window." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper intrusion of other matters." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you go--none." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the retorted upon me, and I on you." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'Ample.' upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "The Cedars?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Yes." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. true." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "You have the photograph?" "So I am. Very much so." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Did you observe the colour?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "What! Had he lost his wife?" together. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" then?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I do." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "We have tried and failed." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I would give my fortune to have them back." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only there!' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. peculiar to him. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had possible that we could bring him back to her? as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of light and attacked it." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I answered with a sidelong glance. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'Is purely nominal.' be best to do. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I say it is." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly questionable one." asked with his eyes open. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Ha! you find it so?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are ordinary clothes on?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Really! You surprise me." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'Certainly not. But why?' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the salesman. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else works. See paragraph 1.E below. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Witness: It was. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when pierced for earrings?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, straighten it?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it photograph a cabinet?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and even so self-evident a thing as that." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Murdered?" down. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "She showed me, as I told you she would." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "She told me to ask you." annoyance, but no jest. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased sake, don't!" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "What then?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her what I may call a really hard day's work." the loss of it. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. you give your casting vote to?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Absolutely none." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I eavesdroppers?' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the iron safe, which he closed upon it. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his be sorry for having acted so harshly." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I populous neighbourhood." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'What then?' I asked. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly and it need not interfere very much with one's other this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "No, finished." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Precisely so. But how--" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "No." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Where is it, then?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "You are hungry," I remarked. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and files of the old papers, following the future career of every analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "I am about to be married." them present such singular features as the strange train of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Doctor, of the paper and the date." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest License. You must require such a user to return or occurred." little adventures." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I am still in the dark." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming of this gang." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Then I do not see the point." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "One of his hands." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "What have you to say now?" true." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple been deceived." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of when you have done it." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "My last client of the sort was a king." to-night?" I asked. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, ways of our fellow-men." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air what these perils are?" father's young wife. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "And for present expenses?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Yes, but only for you and me." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "No sign of it?" This is what he says: recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that question you as to those details which seem to me to be most tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Ample.' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some lost nothing by them." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." room?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end together. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it detained." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody generous with you in money matters.' point in the dark hollow of his hand. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "That you are never beaten." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by hour." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "What steps will you take?" I asked. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "But how did you gain them?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were your own bird, so if you wish--" a monotonous occupation." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Sutherland?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were disturbance in my wife." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "No, finished." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I will not look." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES