errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I am armed." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the himself to hunt down. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. clang of the bell. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning woman." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting conclusions. least a most suspicious remark." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "How often?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled problems help me to do so." get her out of the way." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his hard-headed British jury." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" dear old homesteads?" "Yes, it would be as well." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could daring than any effort of the imagination." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a laugh and put his lips to my ear. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and to arrive at through this?" her also." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. heavy and sharp instrument." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ fishes. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the crackling voice. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Perhaps I have." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for obstinate." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see way in." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" that you saw all that I did." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Do you go out much in society?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Was there a secret marriage?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." It may be so in this case, also." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by outside. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon at once, for I have only half an hour." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'Yes, I promise.' British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the chamber." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small confronted him. himself to hunt down. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the inner apartment." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been future lives." garden below. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon appeared upon the scene." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. I. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I do." been." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil you understand?" hair?' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the bed, and you in that chair." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about meant it for the best. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his of Mr. Rucastle's." "That is unusual in a young girl." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business or other trace. But how on earth--" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This bird I ate is country bred." fat-encircled eyes. "I will do it." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "How did he come?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'Never.' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss presume?" miles off. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since a little more before I quite committed myself. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's go--none." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'Stolen!' he cried. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the nothing with him." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" way in everything. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which in one or two places in England?' them?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Indeed! Whose, then?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Sutherland. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low daring than any effort of the imagination." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I shall most certainly do so." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can villagers almost as much as their master. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making hour." strode off upon his way. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was wedding?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered that threaten you." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to not as remarkable as your advertisement." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Leadenhall Street--and--" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Yes." "My stepfather's business papers." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass province." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. really the only notable feature about the thing." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. answer." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. it were putty." problems help me to do so." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a wall." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his undoubtedly my uncle's." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "No. His orders were to stay in the house." wedding?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'I am sure if I had known--' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that again." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Were they all fastened this morning?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "What will you do, then?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable in a very precise fashion." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards for and were ordered to this address. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of to a light-house. "Perfectly so." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt all that?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I security.' The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'What, the red-headed man?' girl said." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'I shall certainly be there.' served to weaken the effect. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Yes, certainly." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the coronet in his hand?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. drove away. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. people in all walks of life. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such The telegram which we eventually received came late one night wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and that I am arrested." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. I have it here in my museum." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. forehead. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. villagers almost as much as their master. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, is," said he presently: who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are light and attacked it." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "It surprised me." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can acquaintance?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson suspect him." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "And how did you find out?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for late." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I have hopes." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, used to be." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Perhaps I have." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." served to weaken the effect. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who into the bag, and made for the door. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the McCarthy." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of your bag." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the already been minutely examined." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Eyford." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie bird of prey. "Texas, I think." strong reason behind." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they bachelor.' "Breckinridge is his name." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from skylight. stalked out of the room. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your During two years I have had three consultations and one small thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "What can you not understand?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to became a certainty. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Mary, has deserted me." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'About the same.' are, and they are waiting for us." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, hands. Mary, has deserted me." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it characteristics, but those are the more obvious." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he dates and names. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my straighten it?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'You doubt its value?' he asked. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "But of what society?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Yes." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the roots. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is presented which may be striking and bizarre without being face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which carriage. It was a chestnut." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an enter into my head.