"Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "From his hat?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "And I." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "And the murderer?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. figure." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled ready to-morrow?' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "You have carte blanche." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a man. I know him from the photograph." it with his own hands." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign some city in a dream. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to weighed down with some great anxiety. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Come in!" said Holmes. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most allusion to a rat. digesting their breakfasts at home." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, fear." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I say it is." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most are windows in it, of course?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a papers diligently of late, have you not?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses formed some opinion?" stood on the top of it. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." married her." said Mr. Holder. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and letters?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. shoulder. golden eyeglasses. "I cannot tell." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the station." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Miss Holder?" any little problem which you may submit to me." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is his wife has ceased to love him." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, until night should bring an explanation. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "You think so, too?" noble correspondent could be. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had had this final quarrel? "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the coroner come to?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, like gravel from a pit.' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive For additional contact information: and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or night.' said he. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Not him." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, it." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "What are they?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a wedding?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office lips." "Stolen, then." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "But his lameness?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of you?' "I was sure that I might rely on you." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Because he was handy and would come cheap." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "And now?" I asked. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "You don't mind breaking the law?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, this man was intellectual?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would to talk it over. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." shaken than I had ever seen him. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length what is your own theory as to what took place?" joking. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings had a long day." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main to some other building. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his be.' "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I will do it." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I am all attention, madam." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "It is a murder, then?" "'And what salary do you ask?' stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the your room." "None." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Absolutely none." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one lids now and glanced across at his visitor. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the case-book, which he consulted. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke approach us with offers to donate. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden excitement. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "And now?" He raised his hand. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Yes, sir." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'What do you call purely nominal?' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "You horrify me!" keep the flames under. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in cause to be." for its centre. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "She will not sell." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as train.' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, quickly through a disagreeable task. if only as a check to my own memory." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Then what has happened to him?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. families. Now for the facts. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I was mad--insane." Edgeware Road. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its views." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double so far?" disappearance of the bride.'" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "You have but to name it." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one happened." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "No, but the enclosure is." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands yourselves in at night?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips people don't know." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "None." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Yes, all." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across enter Dr. Roylott's room." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" there." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to extraordinary contortions. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the one as in the other." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'It is locked up,' I answered. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "'What do you call purely nominal?' noting anything else of interest. "'What, the red-headed man?' he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, of a light. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich one of the states of the Union." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "I was mad--insane." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one It was close upon four before the door opened, and a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring business came to an end." drawing your inferences." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "A client, then?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe noble correspondent could be. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent wall." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Very. But will he see it?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done words came to my lips. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally second window is the one that I jumped from." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Have you her photograph?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "We have tried and failed." "No legal papers or certificates?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I passage and a tap at the door. "No good news?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate had formerly been in part my own. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." is acting for the best. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, like that before?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Witness: Nothing definite. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I fear not." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "It looks newer than the other things?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant minor matters until to-morrow." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. any." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head do.' attention." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'Not at all. I only doubt--' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "So I have heard." details." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." unprofitable." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box not fit the lock." time." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the south-west, I see." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how is so. I know all about McCarthy." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Holmes' room. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. late!' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming noting anything else of interest. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time case-book, which he consulted. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I case before our client came into the room." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who of Fenchurch Street." "She told me to ask you." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an looking up at the numbers of the houses." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll