southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his go--none." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the station." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he himself in a perplexing position. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle drove away. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the again on its way. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. stepfather?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, noting anything else of interest. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the side-table." you." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father remarked. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "That was it, sir." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the it right.' grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "It surprised me." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "She will not sell." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "She walked into the breakfast-room." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment in this note: be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "And on what day did he meet his death?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, formed some opinion?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Have you her photograph?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, companion. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless yet." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and your relations to her." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy cheerful." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two touch that coronet?' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Was he the only applicant?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "No, distinctly professional." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Just look it up, then." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'Never.' flock.' certainly do as you advise." unkempt, staring out at me. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Deserted you?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which you." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at you in yours." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the shoulder. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I to-night?' the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." when your master had gone out." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to interests were the same as his." cigar and let me expound." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away tail." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with way in everything. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Yes." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "But not more so than I to find you." them present such singular features as the strange train of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was you for a few hours?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I am all attention, madam." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Henry Baker is a member." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in delighted to hear it," he said. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the figure." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Ah!" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Witness: Nothing definite. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Her father is very rich?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "The gentleman I describe." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box keep the flames under. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely these bleak autumnal evenings." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "No, I had a dozen." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons will he say when he returns?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble himself. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "But how?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the very morning of the wedding." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an into the room. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. vanished into the darkness. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question rat could hardly pass through." "On the contrary, this is the right side." careless servant girl?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Breckinridge is his name." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my my secret was safe in his possession. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Count Von Kramm." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Only as much as we can deduce." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the investigation." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." them?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Here?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest acquaintance?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" bled considerably." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the upon a handsome competence. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "It is a murder, then?" "I have a cab outside." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "How many? I don't know." pound a week." "I promise," said Holmes. "Can I be of assistance?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "You horrify me." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside with you alone." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then to a more successful conclusion." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked detective. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our depend upon your compliance." your troubles." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in should be taken.' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "But of what society?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," even of instruction." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is new acquaintance to Baker Street. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "My stepfather's business papers." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a appointment with me for six o'clock?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa with some details as to your case." "At the wedding breakfast." with some details as to your case." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "We must sit without light. He would see it through the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "10th. John Swain cleared. "What then?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the from the brougham. showing my impatience. "No." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be begun to whiten, even as mine has." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest voice. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and soul! here is her carriage at the door." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put delighted to hear it," he said. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss at a side door. "I cannot imagine." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "You did not overhear what they said?" case-book, which he consulted. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Nothing." this remarkable episode. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of away to you." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that will take you up to see the machine.' better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "A client, then?" any more." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his meanly of me." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. to surprise her." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Yes." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a so far?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I am to be neutral?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, disappearance of these gems?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in to-night?' may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most results." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the cost them two and thirty pounds." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue to-morrow." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and page at http://pglaf.org not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival followed. "'And the work?' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he forebodings. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the whether it answered to the description of any of their "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see