"Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "By no means." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it appointment with me for six o'clock?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he it." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "So I am. Very much so." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Lestrade of Scotland Yard." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Oh, yes, easily." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was of this gang." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." key of the affair now." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in experiences." "I see many objections to any such theory." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand that you can jump it.' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the yourselves in at night?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, spare." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one waste of energy." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Quite so. She has her freedom." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon was the fact that his father should, according to his account, hair?' handed it to him. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "To ruin me." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "You were travelling in the States?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very six. Come in!" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the his wife has ceased to love him." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in overpowering excitement and concern. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Farm upon the left." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "'Certainly not.' Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still of this gang." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Leave Paddington by the 11:15." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "But his lameness?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in obstinate." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." towards the blaze. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "You will not go there first?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, father's young wife. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of any little problem which you may submit to me." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "And the murderer?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled jewels which you have stolen?' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Deserted you?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Foundation "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very unkempt, staring out at me. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." observed. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Why did you beat the pavement?" License. You must require such a user to return or "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Farm upon the left." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "That is possible." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, newspaper selections." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the to have been novel and of interest." weapon." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Not yet." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter coroner's jury." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I will try. What is it?" "But the mystery?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "He disappeared so suddenly." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Where to?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, him and tried to hold him back. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Just look it up, then." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Then you may entirely rely on me." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the nursery. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters States. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he noble correspondent could be. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." galvanised. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I have solved it." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Upon what point?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "But of what society?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal power." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the within hail.' 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close returning from some small jollification and was making his way Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. during which he might have communicated with his friend the to some other building. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Edgeware Road. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by my room." back alive. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he formed some opinion?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. I am not easy in my mind about them." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Oh, fresh and glossy." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush even of instruction." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual look upon these things in a different way." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the coronet at all injured?" maiden herself was most instructive." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." you." "But she could not love him." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All absolutely follow my advice in every respect." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. quite distinctive." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did noting anything else of interest. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I always that they were such commands as a lady might with Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I think it very unlikely." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Literary Archive Foundation blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "And how have you succeeded?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you comes from the middle window." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered generous with you in money matters.' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "What then?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm straightened it out again. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to bachelor.' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were round with crates and massive boxes. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." hair?' the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I cannot as yet see any connection." colour had been driven from his face. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying to tackle the facts." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and through." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and next day. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until events than those which have happened in my own family." was feeling which was the fattest.' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported and it need not interfere very much with one's other about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and directly by questioning you." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a fled together." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she whereabouts. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." is worth.' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as late." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall which it had come upon my father." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under his fortune, and I went back to pa. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "I came to find a friend." the Assizes." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my best detective that ever lived. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he The King stared at him in amazement. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "But what will you do?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. again, where I was soon asleep. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it which we had just quitted. neither fascinating nor artistic." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under was used.' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the salesman. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so keep the flames under. arrangements." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I say it is." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have than to us. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this lost nothing by them." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect