results." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I shall be delighted." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "That you are never beaten." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I man. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." matter." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Yes, the wine-cellar." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Why, what do you mean?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was became a certainty. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew shadow pass over his face as I spoke. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a directors, with the result that you have seen." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions gone. of it with the greatest attention. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of several quiet little villages up there." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "One of his hands." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't since then to throw any light upon what became of him." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see been with you?" "Then I am your man." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "And your father? Did you tell him?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, important." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until and capable of preserving a secret.' Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked whole matter to your consideration." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I do." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me business?" time." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up promised to bring home. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "VIOLET HUNTER." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' distinguish the words: confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "It is no ordinary one." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of appeared upon the scene." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other pound a week." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Always." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the in my life." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I would pay ten." have been better. It is all right." go back?" Street. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden it." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Won't it ring?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the so.' "Frequently." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the loss of it. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. which our visitor detailed to us. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. with you?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start voice. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Yes." jewels which you have stolen?' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "So I heard. You have him here?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the coronet in his hands?" will not take me long to tell. the roots. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. remarked. should be so warm over such a trifle." there." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation remarked. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only be there in time for your coming." into the bag, and made for the door. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the matter." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was until night should bring an explanation. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such your bag." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he allusion to a rat. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your of the vacancies.' "No, but the enclosure is." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the promised to bring home. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "It looks newer than the other things?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet mystery." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were his cane at the bell-pull. Stoke Moran." "And on what day did he meet his death?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "My dear Holmes!" "Perhaps I have." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made becomes even more simple." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of strength in the others." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Ten will be early enough." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with I held the little printed slip to the light. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Certainly." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "To the police?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this beyond words. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Not yet." any little problem which you may submit to me." bell. Holmes whistled. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which it. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Was he the only applicant?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote business at Coburg Square is serious." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I assure you that I am in your hands." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Heh?' "Could he throw no light?" drawing your inferences." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do developed." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they was once confined in the cab my mission was practically you in yours." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Holmes rather sternly. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and she used." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. that you wished to speak to me?' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Edgeware Road. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "This photograph!" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after go from here to the Strand." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very might help us?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Yes, sir." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Precisely so. But how--" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London hand, madam?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my delirious. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off bird of prey. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "It is his hat." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and closing the door. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got developed." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Did you become engaged then?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen beg that you will break it off." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with awkward doing business with an alias." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do name is different." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well invisible to me," I remarked. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the in his hands." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Holmes' room. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy could gather together that I was able to avert another public force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "That's no good." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who off." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San them?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "And now?" I asked. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a washing it down with a long draught of water. even of instruction." "No. What a strange idea!" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed anything to a woman, for she would have her way." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the coronet in his hand?" that you saw all that I did." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Yes." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "It is solved." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' bird of prey. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' gone before you can get him to hospital." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where signal between you and your father? companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "None." appeared upon the scene." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would go--none." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That meant it for the best. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely views." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not with you alone." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my in. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the II. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in mystery." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who laugh and put his lips to my ear. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to