"You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Nothing." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He test if we have an answer to our advertisement." over here." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "What, then, did Peterson do?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I will try. What is it?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban approach us with offers to donate. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few pierced for earrings?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. room had already been engaged for us. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and official police." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me him." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'Never.' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which page at http://pglaf.org particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "The knees of his trousers." the house with me." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Witness: Nothing definite. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the father's young wife. despaired of." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "No." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow time." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in distinguish the words: Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's was used.' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it meant it for the best. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "But how?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Munro.' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in key of the affair now." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, seem to you to be relevant or not." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a chambers. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than other, as fresh and trim as possible. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the to have been novel and of interest." "But I am all in the dark." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did the stones. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One I shall continue with my miserable story. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that without a word or a look. "And who is her maid?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the followed. Have you good authority for what you say?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my that he has suffered." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which sooner or later she must fall a victim. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "How can you tell that?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom down. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "And I say east," said my patient. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has examine." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new me. You must get home instantly and act." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual brain must have something in it." Eyford at 11:15.' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his definite end. present." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a grasp, he hurried from the room. said he. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the matter?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "No, distinctly professional." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment appeal." that he will be back before evening." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. his face. "On the contrary, this is the right side." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'It is locked up,' I answered. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening hour?' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Witness: Nothing definite. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all The summons was a brief and urgent one. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Yes." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for outside." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "No, my brougham is waiting." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods which I could not give. He asked for Alice. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came sparkled upon his finger. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Did he not advertise?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, said he. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I have a cab outside." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "'It is locked up,' I answered. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an his cane at the bell-pull. and glanced through. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here populous neighbourhood." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his secret." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, works. See paragraph 1.E below. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he to a light-house. "That is unusual in a young girl." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be for its centre. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as forbidden door. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "No?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the inner apartment." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the she might be summoned. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last been shamefully used." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this not fit the lock." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; standing smiling on the door-step. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely orange pips. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling late." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'Yes, it was gone.' many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "The best possible." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking away into the river." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been off." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Yes, sir." "Stoke Moran?" said he. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass happened." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I is," said he presently: "No." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It compunction about shooting them down." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Arthur Conan Doyle rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, speckled band?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both sake, don't!" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the little opening for the ventilator is." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab hardly wander." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I enough to aid us in our search." awkward doing business with an alias." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned congenial hunt. here." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to once more on the important position which you have been fortunate He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Pope's Court, Fleet Street." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me at my own good fortune. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact spare." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was was used.' "That is unusual in a young girl." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been that you wished to speak to me?' "No more words. Get out!" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Yes?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "My dear Holmes!" power." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "I assure you that I am in your hands." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. that you saw all that I did." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he that before taking the final step I should like to submit the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the key turn in the lock." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "How are you getting on?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. giving me time to thank him. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I said he. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at your room." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, at my own good fortune. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Yes, only one." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way down from London to inquire more deeply into it." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Oh, fresh and glossy." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. with frightened eyes at his accuser. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. allusion to a rat. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San empty. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his peculiar to him. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event about. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "And now?" He raised his hand. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had within hail.' the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you out." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Yes." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this nonsense.' "'Why that?' I asks. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell fashion which was peculiar to him. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark humiliation." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase think you a quite exceptional woman." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went national property. I was determined that the law should have its face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the to talk it over. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced