"and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to indeed happy." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." III. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his and wait." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast his grey eyes. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Stolen!' he cried. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Oh, yes, easily." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very desk. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I dead, shall be safe with us." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the unclasping of his long thin hands. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "It is very clear." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Pope's Court. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us with her." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been here." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "But I have heard all that you have heard." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' to miss it." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, felt?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and it need not interfere very much with one's other which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are and glanced through. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your she slowly sank and died without having recovered her to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "No legal papers or certificates?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Where, indeed?" "Well, but China?" companion imperturbably. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close outbreak?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved round with crates and massive boxes. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a foot. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but wedding?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "She walked into the breakfast-room." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of will not take me long to tell. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets again, where I was soon asleep. "May I see it?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole examination of the premises, but without finding anything which with you alone." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the drove away. "The best possible." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from over part of the map. "What do you read?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. him nearly every evening." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." disturbance in my wife." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "In answer to an advertisement." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he posted to-day." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Then I do not see the point." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. of it with the greatest attention. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means appeal." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Thank you. Pray proceed." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the lost nothing by them." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to written. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We security.' of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the child." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "We must have a cab." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Yes." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as if she died from some sudden fright." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and case-book, which he consulted. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They would apply.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun pierced for earrings?" "What will you do, then?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To placed his cuttings. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to success. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Ample." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both suggested at once that there must be a communication between the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his over part of the map. "What do you read?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might a good hundred miles off by now." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an least a fellow-countryman. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep deduce something from that?" "It looks newer than the other things?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it promised to bring home. once more for Briony Lodge. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been this man was intellectual?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Holmes." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not been shamefully used." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we hurried by. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Very. But will he see it?" over here." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, could not have written that. It is the German who is so George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his him." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I will not look." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. and your relations to her." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have of it with the greatest attention. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been despaired of." depend upon your compliance." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I was it brought him the coronet? There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "9th. McCauley cleared. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Ha! you find it so?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "And now?" He raised his hand. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from McCarthy's innocence. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower been." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled taking in every detail of the apartment. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the in my life." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying might have a private word with us. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "When did she vanish, then?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Eyford at 11:15.' Edgeware Road. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached me." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the to you." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "I shall most certainly do so." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce she to prove their authenticity?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the chamber." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the woman." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I cannot as yet see any connection." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in have accepted such a situation. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "But what will you do?" "And I say east," said my patient. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'And the work?' "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the window, rose as we entered. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his 'please.'" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon forehead. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I was certainly surprised to find you there." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you residence of the great financier. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet dead, shall be safe with us." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the kindly on the shoulder. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save quickly through a disagreeable task. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Very. But will he see it?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself gives a meaning to it." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can eavesdroppers?' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that