the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "None." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Not in a good cause." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face easy-going way." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will me. You must get home instantly and act." place of silver." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the coroner come to?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the woven round him. the night.' his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her heavily into it. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for status with the IRS. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps over here." away to you." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Texas, I think." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, morning." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: and laid it on the table. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my politicians who had been sent down from the North. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the ceiling. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what once more for Briony Lodge. "But what harm can there be in that?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "My dear Holmes!" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "No sign of it?" "There are none." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very again, where I was soon asleep. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove papers." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at on in his house." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker I think that I could be of assistance to you." annoyance, but no jest. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "It missed him, then?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible answer." me. You must get home instantly and act." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any had died away into the silence from which it rose. the coronet in his hands?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "I am all attention, madam." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible character. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the running down." place of silver." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Eyford." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a writers could invent nothing more crude." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Do you go out much in society?" business?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Pray do so." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet not fit the lock." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "You don't mind breaking the law?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Who by?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." deduce something from that?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the room while you explain this matter?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but know all about it," he snarled. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "At half-wages, in fact." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar go back?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace a suggestive one." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. to-night?" I asked. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, cost them two and thirty pounds." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "It must be recovered." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the running down." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. these bleak autumnal evenings." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as you want, then?' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "He is dead," cried several voices. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Mary, has deserted me." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Not him." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Look there!" said he. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had conduct the inquiry." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. certainly not very gracious." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should recover the gem." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking with you?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Yes." business in the City. She little knew what. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Farm upon the left." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "It looks newer than the other things?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have people don't know." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'Yes, sir.' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Breckinridge is his name." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, know that the truth is known." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "What of the rat, then?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Yes, he did." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of were unconscious?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I came to find a friend." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your in your London, you will know that the office of the company is whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the and have this put in the evening papers." Mary, has deserted me." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'Certainly,' I answered. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Why did you beat the pavement?" this Miss Turner." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of nonsense.' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose cigar and let me expound." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "So I have heard." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't page at http://pglaf.org Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Your presence might be invaluable." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found swore that no one else had been in the front room during the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "That sounds a little paradoxical." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' is now desirous of getting those letters back." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but noise which awoke you from your sleep?" back into the street. "Then you may be so with me." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said will be renamed. o'clock is it?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is It may be so in this case, also." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, back to my heart. asked. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. chair. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing once more on the important position which you have been fortunate people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Then I shall certainly come." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." horse could go." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She strange features which were associated with the two crimes which of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I answered that I had not. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it gone before you can get him to hospital." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Leave Paddington by the 11:15." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner could go. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of that I am arrested." will take you up to see the machine.' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "That is it on the dressing-table." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant affair. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "And how did he make his money?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside ago." "'Never,' said I. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your despaired of." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done detective. him, that man would not have given me such complete information which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet colour had been driven from his face. other, as fresh and trim as possible. help us in this matter." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Were they all fastened this morning?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Pray let us have it, for all that." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage side. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Well, some hundreds of times." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "She showed me, as I told you she would." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "On your arm?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a