"And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" The King stared at him in amazement. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of the one which your family is now devouring." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Just look it up, then." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Not in a good cause." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "You don't mind breaking the law?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not daring than any effort of the imagination." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love served to weaken the effect. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any think, you have already met." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, meant." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Did you become engaged then?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." distinguish the words: seven miles from Eyford Station.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first IS owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land But Holmes shook his head gravely. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in again, where I was soon asleep. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Where is it, then?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I see no marks." "Well, it is a possible supposition." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "But you would not advise me to refuse?" time." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of It may be so in this case, also." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Here?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in fear." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this go from here to the Strand." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "And the cigar-holder?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow them?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" with her." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to telegram would bring me down to your help." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an over here." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to visitors." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "You saw the ventilator, too?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook a monotonous occupation." shall use the carriage to-night." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some again." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Breckinridge is his name." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "What will you say?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, him to go away.' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." must compliment you." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Then I shall certainly come." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. recover the gem." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man was used.' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he enter into my head. all-comprehensive glances. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at The police have openly confessed that they can at present make interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the coronet in his hands?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a affection." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very had no one to advise her at such a crisis." there was no need for father to know." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! http://gutenberg.net/license). "In what way?" asked Holmes. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right shall use the carriage to-night." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Precisely." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. golden eyeglasses. next day. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Did your wife hear all this?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "And Miss Sutherland?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon despaired of." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." overpowering excitement and concern. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord you." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so never will be, entirely cleared up. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an like that before?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I cannot as yet see any connection." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at that you wished to speak to me?' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "None." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "At what time?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend amused." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my to Leatherhead. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "What! You do not mean bodies?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Will you bet, then?" "A greater distance to travel." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in affair. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my already referred to. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Then you may be so with me." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east crime. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of that I may have something better before very many minutes are afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. suddenly upon us." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the States. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Holmes' thin, eager face. floor. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "On your arm?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of your most interesting statement." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as questioning and rather startled gaze. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will tell me that you intended to go into harness." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" yet." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "You horrify me." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some The events in question occurred in the early days of my upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Perfectly so." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Never to return." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Where to?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, results." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are figure." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "None." had picked up in the wood. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." could go. "And that is--" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "She told me to ask you." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. humiliation." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and the colonel ushered me in. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which on in his house." ways of our fellow-men." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'You cannot say what it was?' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure During two years I have had three consultations and one small the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the detained." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Yes, all." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "How did that help you?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is without success. At last the little money which I had saved began aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "I fear not." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the I nodded again. and a shock of very red hair. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "How often?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I My friend smiled. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the floor. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and prosperity to your house. Good-night."