an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but wife's character?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an father's young wife. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the matter." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I cannot tell." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own gives a meaning to it." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something round with crates and massive boxes. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "One of his hands." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he McCarthy." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it garden below. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to advice." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the be there in time for your coming." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "So it appears." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I undoubtedly my uncle's." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Stolen." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, unclasping of his long thin hands. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass was used.' happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most then?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the dangers which encompass me." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Entirely." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Perfectly so." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, shall not find me ungrateful." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "It looks newer than the other things?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "No legal papers or certificates?" "None." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I saw her in conversation with her maid." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we papers diligently of late, have you not?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Witness: It was. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. acquaintance?" "Then I do not see the point." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have directors, with the result that you have seen." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small confronted him. not fit the lock." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows that I am arrested." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really tightly behind him. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm could go. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and effective." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, crowd. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'You cannot say what it was?' "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. against a man in the prime of life?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent obstinate." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the armchair which I pushed forward for him. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it to me. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Witness: Nothing definite. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'How far from the body?' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he had no one to advise her at such a crisis." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake him, that man would not have given me such complete information and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Did you become engaged then?" my former friend and companion. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Then I am your man." "It missed him, then?" "Nothing?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and put his glass in his pocket. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must tell him that I know him to be innocent." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "It missed him, then?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Farm upon the left." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." such person." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from strong reason behind." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. I shall continue with my miserable story. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his this remarkable episode. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Who by?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a at home. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "What then?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the redistribution. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Witness: It was. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I unprofitable." "She will not sell." enter into my head. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the date of his supposed suicide." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Ah!" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. article?" them?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out companion imperturbably. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Pray continue your narrative." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'A dozen yards or so.' "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' that you can jump it.' again on its way. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of to-morrow." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have introspective fashion. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "I do." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "You saw the ventilator, too?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "A client, then?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "That is it on the dressing-table." "But his lameness?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Sutherland. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely despaired of." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'Yes, sir.' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the coroner come to?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It bill, which interests me deeply." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "What is it?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in direction." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner there in twenty minutes." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. ready to-morrow?' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET salesman. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the annoyance, but no jest. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I am following you closely," I answered. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "But his lameness?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "That is not always so easy." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I should be immensely obliged to you." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Really! You surprise me." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since question you as to those details which seem to me to be most exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting house for five minutes.' "'What do you call purely nominal?' "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "He disappeared so suddenly." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of I nodded again. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Then how many are there?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the coronet in his hands?" bearing upon the case." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were The King stared at him in amazement. "How on earth--" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I am following you closely," I answered. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I am to be neutral?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "It is possible." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" is acting for the best. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." signal between you and your father? over part of the map. "What do you read?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of meanly of me." green of the new foliage. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some kindly on the shoulder. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we your troubles." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts train.' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the inner apartment." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Count Von Kramm." remarked. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, clanging. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us over his head with a sweet womanly caress. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its quite distinctive." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "But you were on a friendly footing?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "The King of Scandinavia." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran simple cases which are so extremely difficult." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "It's nothing of the kind." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen returned to France?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked his wife has ceased to love him." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was yet." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "When did she vanish, then?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked.