"I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, pictures, libraries, or plate. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to meant." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I fear not." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and like that before?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw nothing of it?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew out of this horrible affair." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Of what?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Yes, only one." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "But she will refuse." flock.' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman hour." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the that he has suffered." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "A client, then?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the house with me." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'There is a drive, then?' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Thank you. Pray proceed." "No." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'About the same.' three of the beryls in it, was missing. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his most interesting one." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. prisoner's face. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," place of silver." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with bled considerably." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'Yes.' I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional definite end. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office empty. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. memory. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I retorted upon me, and I on you." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to present." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'And what salary do you ask?' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but a little more before I quite committed myself. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Street. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "No?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. closing the door. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its letters?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the you want, then?' one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the address that was given us in the advertisement. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Yes, certainly." trying to your nerves." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one room had already been engaged for us. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "It looks newer than the other things?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "You don't mind breaking the law?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a lips." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week fish-monger and a tide-waiter." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the been shamefully used." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. wall." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Look there!" said he. Eyford." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall from you?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat gone before you can get him to hospital." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "What will you do, then?" "I cannot tell." pictures, libraries, or plate. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "No legal papers or certificates?" "None." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do distance from the station, and there we found the young lady brain must have something in it." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Which dealer's?' written. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "It's nothing of the kind." appeared upon the scene." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, newspaper selections." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to it." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church kindly on the shoulder. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" husband's writing, madam." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "What then?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a answer." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, wedding?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I was sure that I might rely on you." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to business came to an end." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "The Cedars?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Holmes' room. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Never." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "How did he come?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the window, rose as we entered. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and posted to-day." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Never." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I have come for advice." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Have you her photograph?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Serpentine Avenue. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. from you?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of might help us?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "What do you mean?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the him and tried to hold him back. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." important." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the nursery. I took the paper from him and read as follows: my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of to some other building. door?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "There are none." "The vanishing of the lady." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a acquaintance?" "Then the page we have seen--" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and emerged. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "And help." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and room?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the me. You must get home instantly and act." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining closely." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "You horrify me!" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and trifles." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and man. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." formed some opinion?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do your co-operation." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, appeal." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window good for you to do.' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Leave Paddington by the 11:15." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you *** START: FULL LICENSE *** thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the child." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. easy-going way." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no have one." questionable one." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of late." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were their singular warning or token before them when starting upon License. You must require such a user to return or bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "She showed me, as I told you she would." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no been shamefully used." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party away into the river." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "So I am. Very much so." to have that photograph." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. bell. Holmes whistled. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight breakfast?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See were unconscious?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. fled together." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the row." were unconscious?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "What have you to say now?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking bell. Holmes whistled. upon a handsome competence. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. seem to you to be relevant or not." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" details." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was out of this horrible affair." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "'Never.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of