abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not bonnet, and went out." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Have you it here?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I will do it." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Did he not advertise?" "I shall be delighted." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw them present such singular features as the strange train of hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "My dear Holmes!" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." as he folded up the epistle. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my papers must be those that are destroyed.' sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the matter." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Not particularly." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and orange pips. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood threw himself down with his face to the pillow. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Certainly, madam." matter." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "The gentleman I describe." is acting for the best. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" status with the IRS. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "You think so, too?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "And on what day did he meet his death?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "BALLARAT." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me certainly do as you advise." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which face and glided from the room. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "And help." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. again on its way. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the stones. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held make me his representative both with the servants and with the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this south, for the country is more deserted there." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Upon what point?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one crackling voice. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little asked with his eyes open. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor your troubles." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES window when the police appeared." which we had just quitted. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed said he at last. woman." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Where, then, is my wife?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You think so, too?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the coroner come to?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and me what he had done with the three missing stones. "No, I think that I'll take it." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." astonishment. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "When did it break out?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn window when the police appeared." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away once more for Briony Lodge. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its thin legs towards the fire. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "But it has twice been burgled." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a occurred." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'As governess?' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the evidence," I remarked. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "You are all wrong." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge disappearance of the bride.'" her also." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter was shining brightly. "I have hopes." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "And when will you call?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a correct than the official force." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of delirious. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, respectable self." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "And Irene Adler?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Pray do so." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could enough to aid us in our search." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the bed, and you in that chair." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "You are hungry," I remarked. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "'Yes, sir.' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Now, then, what's the last entry?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "But not more so than I to find you." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Sutherland?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated light and attacked it." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the is four-and-twenty." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I shall be delighted." "Have you her photograph?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Yes." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Nearly eleven." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own http://gutenberg.net/license). whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look thin, with a long, sharp nose?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their I held the little printed slip to the light. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one conceal it?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Ten will be early enough." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I am armed." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Stolen, then." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "At the wedding breakfast." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for congratulate you again." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the general public were present, then?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. fait accompli?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. green of the new foliage. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know way in everything. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Count Von Kramm." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the window, rose as we entered. absorbing." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I know where it is." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Breckinridge is his name." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Was there a secret marriage?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Ten will be early enough." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have to go into your room and bar your shutters?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter within hail.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds remarked. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left all that?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, galvanised. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to tackle the facts." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' look upon these things in a different way." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the thin legs towards the fire. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your and the church but not where the lady lived." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, straightened it out again. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I cannot tell." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his for its centre. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I fashion which was peculiar to him. "And from a noble client?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "In which, sir?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" seen the man in the road." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since sofa. This way, please!" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, from you?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard success. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and habit of advancing money.' known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled question. "No legal papers or certificates?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to problems help me to do so." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "And I to find an enemy." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as when your master had gone out." room?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness companion. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Where, then?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the wanted for ourselves." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "What office?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "But I have heard all that you have heard." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "The landlord of the Alpha." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "What steps will you take?" I asked. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon fear." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the been deceived."