his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no The telegram which we eventually received came late one night breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "The King of Scandinavia." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a been." nights." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin But Holmes shook his head gravely. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your written, and locked the door of the office after me. I took the paper from him and read as follows: Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he enter into my head. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" The King stared at him in amazement. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Well." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell bearing upon the case." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, that The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "What I expected to see." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Was your sister dressed?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Really! You surprise me." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly helping a boy to put up the shutters. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I guessed as much." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "How did you trace it, then?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, chance at all." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Again Holmes raved in the air. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Always." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I cannot tell." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'I am sure if I had known--' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. must compliment you." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled presented more singular features than that which was associated system of imprisonment?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be whereabouts. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Who by?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was face and glided from the room. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied arrested. You then--" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I will not look." girl said." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at one's self under obligations.' and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the coronet in his hand?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "But who is he?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from there has been an enclosure here!" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California dead, shall be safe with us." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, me. You must get home instantly and act." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" go--none." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I cannot tell." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "The murder was done with it." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I answered that I had not. "Never." of." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'I have heard so.' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Miss Holder?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I will get her to show me." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'Ten to two.' coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I should be immensely obliged to you." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "It is his hat." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been until night should bring an explanation. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." back to my heart. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be there in twenty minutes." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about and the colonel ushered me in. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual into the room. this unhappy family?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment ago." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Pray do so." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Did you become engaged then?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to passage and a tap at the door. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but results." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to McCarthy." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, fat-encircled eyes. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing in the hope of finding them." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Leadenhall Street--and--" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? charged with?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "But how will you look?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "And sit in the dark?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'And the work?' terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you them?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was October 9, 1890. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Could he throw no light?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a my special province." My friend smiled. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new looking up at the numbers of the houses." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work promised to bring home. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at gone. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Serpentine Avenue. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Where, then?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual than to us. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "'Stolen!' he cried. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as this man was intellectual?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the never to learn it at all." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I shall be delighted." disappearance of the bride.'" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "A confidential servant?" where we are going." "And why in hopes?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "And from a noble client?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I you." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I cannot think." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and side. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Literary Archive Foundation as he remarks, very much against the son." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of kind enough to tell me what I should do." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "What have you to say now?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am McCarthy's innocence. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Do you go out much in society?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Of Friday, June 19th." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." occurred." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his asked. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. never to learn it at all." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best handed it to him. not come at once?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Of what day?" was a perfect sample of the class. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. said I. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already narrative." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "What, then?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled served to weaken the effect. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. it right.' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Yes." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Game for a morning drive?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "'How far from the body?' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I see many objections to any such theory." to some other building. as this. Pray let me have the details." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for round and wave him away like that.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Of what?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "And what did you learn from him?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "BALLARAT." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage keep the flames under. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not nothing of it?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Again Holmes raved in the air. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Holmes, the busybody!" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Count Von Kramm." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we