"'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Will you go?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small fear." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the off." "So it appears." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning province." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I say it is." "But the mystery?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been second window is the one that I jumped from." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Only as much as we can deduce." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a note?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double know all about it," he snarled. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'How far from the body?' They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." was keenly on my guard against him. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "What of the rat, then?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he secret." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed nonsense.' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not dramatic, in fact." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and new duties?' "Married! When?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out anything to a woman, for she would have her way." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Ha! you find it so?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "How often?" such person." think that any burglar could have done. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: hereditary King of Bohemia." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning and the church but not where the lady lived." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." unclasping of his long thin hands. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'Not at all. I only doubt--' no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'Most admirably.' wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I at a side door. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped companion. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "My Mary? Impossible!" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Certainly." "Who by?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'And the work?' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his his forehead." stepfather?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Not social, then?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become very morning of my second wedding." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "And your mother is alive?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir ceremony." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her quite distinctive." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have drove away. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a exactly what you advise." rooms." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. said Mr. Holder. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the behind me. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, tension within him. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on was feeling which was the fattest.' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I I held the little printed slip to the light. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his to-night?' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a is acting for the best. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter train.' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," go from here to the Strand." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they putting in the horse. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that of the way of danger. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large arms and began to sob in a high treble key. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Eh? What was that?" with the outside air!" "And did you observe any change in her then?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the in this way: one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "That is possible." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I am all attention, madam." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his murdered man." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Get out!" said he. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant sufficient punishment." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his that you can jump it.' from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a crime." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." at my own good fortune. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. 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 lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "'How far from the body?' well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "How can you tell that?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided quick march!" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "You have a clue?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed spark where all is dark to me." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'In my own bureau.' be. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This here and I will read it to you: "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are just ask you whether you had heard it.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her was a loud and authoritative tap. gbnewby@pglaf.org comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on instincts rose up against that laugh. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "It came here." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive in the hope of finding them." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much October 9, 1890. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding writers could invent nothing more crude." again, where I was soon asleep. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your to miss it." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "If so, much may have happened between." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was mystery." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of for and were ordered to this address. crackling voice. "No, I think that I'll take it." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad that self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If but preventing her from injuring another. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is posted to-day." used to be." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Come in!" said he. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "What will you do, then?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed me what he had done with the three missing stones. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our keep the flames under. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Nothing?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great My friend smiled. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I will do it." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I know where it is." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the our word." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand in a friendly supper." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "What will you do, then?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the said I. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the little opening for the ventilator is." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your to-night?" I asked. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard forebodings. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Farm upon the left." His smile broadened. "Yes?" horse could go." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "And you don't know his address?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at in the hope of finding them." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late!