"I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so of Fenchurch Street." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Yes, from Horsham." was a lad." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, and glanced through. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an never came back." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day into the bag, and made for the door. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Upon what point?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point at home. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Get out!" said he. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel side. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous room. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. nights." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Leave Paddington by the 11:15." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Then what has happened to him?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the Assizes." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'Where to?' "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been back alive. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very if only as a check to my own memory." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I would pay ten." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been From what you have told me I think that it is possible that The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be ceremony." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "So it appears." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an other, as fresh and trim as possible. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my held up the lantern and gazed about him. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled any little problem which you may submit to me." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to congenial hunt. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have sofa. This way, please!" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I posted to-day." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are placed his cuttings. o'clock is it?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as both be extremely obliged.' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and I shall be with you presently." mysterious business." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the promised to bring home. I shall continue with my miserable story. "'Ample.' "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to 11:15.' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern made him keep the appointment." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous bell. Holmes whistled. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those as the one I chose?' family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "You saw the ventilator, too?" the King without delay." better in every way that they should make their position a little simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his writing, and yet I know it well." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even already referred to. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the best of training." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "At the wedding breakfast." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his him and tried to hold him back. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy and I shall be with you presently." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich once more. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Yes." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been dead, shall be safe with us." think, you have already met." throat." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Very much so." in a friendly supper." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "I think that I had better go, Holmes." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "And why in hopes?" you?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Bought." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I cannot say that I have." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to was already answered. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view if she died from some sudden fright." there." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was individual and becomes the badge of a society." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with you." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I have come for advice." "But who is he?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the seen the man in the road." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we do.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Yes, I have one waiting." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I came to find a friend." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." get the tickets." come either from the window or the door. My attention was it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my public press." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his some terrible trap for her." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure come either from the window or the door. My attention was long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "We have tried and failed." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "And the murderer?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very bedroom door." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was you." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and felt the room to be a little close.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country have accepted such a situation. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Nothing." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' point in the dark hollow of his hand. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "But what harm can there be in that?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune business came to an end." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, occurred." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful she to prove their authenticity?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than IS scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Oh, yes, easily." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I fear not." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, begun to whiten, even as mine has." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Dr. Becher's." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in silent! Oh, he will be silent!' against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Do you receive much company?" he asked. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," kind enough to tell me what I should do." British peeress.'" may never be exposed to such a temptation." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her indeed which he could not unravel. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my back into the street. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. were wasted." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Nothing?" back alive. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a answer." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery British peeress.'" "Where, then, is my wife?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in The note was undated, and without either signature or address. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they then?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the call the police, let the police find what they can.' crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her instincts rose up against that laugh. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Come in!" said he. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "The murder was done with it." "How many? I don't know." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, locked. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "I have solved it." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up searched, without anything being found which could incriminate it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. fasten all the windows?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is right! Sit down and let us talk it over." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. stalked out of the room. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his business." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "No." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Where did he live, then?" must be when I saw the door open.' knowledge of the world." trifles." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It she to prove their authenticity?" about. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions than to us. gives a meaning to it." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Could he throw no light?" "The murder was done with it." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "By train from Waterloo." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from his forehead." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in sound at heart." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; annoyance, but no jest. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "No good news?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same individual and becomes the badge of a society." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I have seen the police." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water