insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Nothing." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "But it has twice been burgled." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had wedding?" "But she will refuse." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the matter." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. little adventures." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "By train from Waterloo." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but fasten all the windows?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do has little to do with my story." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said one of them." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened you." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to manager. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the read over the extraordinary announcement. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Will you bet, then?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his south, for the country is more deserted there." his eyes and forehead. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "From his hat?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "It is possible." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and glanced through. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker him to go away.' "Not social, then?" "He said that you could solve anything." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, your co-operation." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "It is possible." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. you came in." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn his fortune, and I went back to pa. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Do you go out much in society?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Yes." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by been lifted and conveyed somewhere." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were stood on the top of it. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "And sit in the dark?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. chambers. "'I shall certainly be there.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Stoke Moran." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" to some other building. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Two days later this same performance was gone through under approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss unkempt, staring out at me. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that union?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one into the bag, and made for the door. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Who by?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. dates and names. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the running down." "Nothing?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "In heaven's name, what for?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he once more to my work. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's this truth that in these little records of our cases which you have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the joking. from you?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "So I have heard." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Only as much as we can deduce." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." persecution?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been must be when I saw the door open.' suspect him." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I at home. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to wall." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the tapping his fingers upon the table. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "You horrify me." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Never." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "And how?" "Is he quiet?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to dead, shall be safe with us." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too could not account in any way for the presence of the missing open." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "ARAT," I read. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me through." main points of my analysis." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the running down." "And sit in the dark?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Well, it is a possible supposition." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Yes." "How on earth--" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I would give my fortune to have them back." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his think that any burglar could have done. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears guilty one." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "ARAT," I read. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you upon the white wrist. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent everything which you would wish to know." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "My photograph." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my photograph?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Then I shall certainly come." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Whose house is it?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would as he folded up the epistle. him!" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We fasten all the windows?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "This concluded the examination of the witness." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see IS that, and I came down." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an a little more before I quite committed myself. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'What then?' I asked. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Never." "Yes, only one." vault. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a know all about it," he snarled. golden eyeglasses. "He disappeared so suddenly." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others to where he stood hid behind the curtain. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be guilty one." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Sutherland. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate rooms." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one I leave." "Why? What do you mean?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back of fine shops and stately business premises that they really member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "He slept on the premises." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Nothing?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my pierced for earrings?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save at a side door. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward seven miles from Eyford Station.' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Where to?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger address. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to that you can jump it.' "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, ventilator." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if beyond words. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, side. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "And who is her maid?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that to-morrow." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My prepare for the new role I have to play." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "And how did you find out?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "How are you getting on?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a my special province." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his very peculiar words of the dying woman?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "'Entirely.' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "I am following you closely," I answered. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of chamber." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be strength in the others." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found there." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in was a perfect sample of the class. "And I." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "My dear Holmes!" investigation." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink,