to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and that he would see to anything that turned up. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the ceiling. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the ceiling. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the ran thus: idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Yes." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Was your sister dressed?" there when the Rucastles went away." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong kind enough to tell me what I should do." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." States. before, for it was considerably after midnight. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Which surely he restored to their owner?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Was the window open?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, coroner's jury." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it means taking possession of that which another person has a prior planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental despair." Stoke Moran." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the newspaper selections." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Sutherland. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Yes." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we correct than the official force." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or to go into your room and bar your shutters?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not kindly on the shoulder. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "How about poison?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several occurred." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. throat." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. only touch the interest." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I think that it is very probable." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing details." I think that I could be of assistance to you." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle memory. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for For additional contact information: caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly nice household for a young lady." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his records." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to union?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you about here speaks of his kindness to him." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood said I. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "A client, then?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very salesman. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid to arrive at through this?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a question," said Holmes, smiling. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and congratulate you again." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable with the outside air!" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the south-west, I see." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of his fortune, and I went back to pa. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. ways of our fellow-men." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Arthur Conan Doyle I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the devil!" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the best of training." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the is now desirous of getting those letters back." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the villagers almost as much as their master. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Did you observe the colour?" kindly on the shoulder. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "It is his hat." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "In the cells." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Very murderous indeed." if I call to-morrow?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Not particularly." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "You have compromised yourself seriously." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat retorted upon me, and I on you." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that village inn over there?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a himself to hunt down. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little way: the coroner come to?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round appeared upon the scene." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the your sleep?' which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when use an arc-and-compass breastpin." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to to a light-house. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Where does the thing come from?' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Holmes' face clouded over. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the any little problem which you may submit to me." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Did he not advertise?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, his cane at the bell-pull. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I will do it." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which from you?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "It was." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "The doctor?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that singular points about the case. What did the police think of the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign carriage. It was a chestnut." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a was feeling which was the fattest.' horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united page at http://pglaf.org you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and your Highness to the police-station?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable all that?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we your bag." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, his face which made him a very different person to the round, the bed, and you in that chair." you came in." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. examine." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker gives a meaning to it." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and an introduction to him?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," has little to do with my story." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "My stepfather's business papers." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which cause to be." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a my friend's incisive reasoning. opened the door, and slipped through. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I fire. You quite follow me?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of photograph a cabinet?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Then what has happened to him?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian over with notes and figures. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been upon the sideboard." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of British peeress.'" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, later, upon the night of May 2nd." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman article?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you to a more successful conclusion." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then be.' bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into go from here to the Strand." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'And the work?' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Have you good authority for what you say?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'Where to?' his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a late!' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his populous neighbourhood." "But of what society?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with less than 26s. 4d. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his clanging. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, even of instruction." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of careless servant girl?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it never will be, entirely cleared up. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer vault. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly was used.' delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." said he at last. "No, I am descending." it were putty." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, clanging. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have directors, with the result that you have seen." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "It is solved." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of