simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "The rest you will leave in our hands." unprofitable." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather lamp in his hand. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will upon the sideboard." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "But the mystery?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I have come for advice." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Edgeware Road. constraint." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked get the tickets." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "No." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank residence of the great financier. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Chief Executive and Director could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Of what?" "If so, much may have happened between." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Literary Archive Foundation to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then prove to be little relation between the different incidents of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our signal between you and your father? "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend chance at all." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and the whole place is in a blaze." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'I have heard so.' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. paper in the air. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" will take you up to see the machine.' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' delighted to hear it," he said. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Yes." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very secret." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming eavesdroppers?' your own bird, so if you wish--" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. undoubtedly my uncle's." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This him." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. business matters.' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should cup of tea. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "The Coroner: What do you mean? "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Miss Holder?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching American. Then who could this American be, and why should he and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "What then?" to me. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a coat-tails." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "What!" he roared. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Not him." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. bare slabs of marble. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Yes." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes she might be summoned. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "At half-wages, in fact." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR good for you to do.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "By no means." "And I say east," said my patient. experiences." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he third from London." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by as yours." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "But you would not advise me to refuse?" a room. your troubles." invisible to me," I remarked. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Who by?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice back alive. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "'Certainly not. But why?' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite made his money." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the date of his supposed suicide." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was down. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my strength." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "And you don't know his address?" "Where, then, is my wife?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. have been better. It is all right." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the roots. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without during that time.' Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "One?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your cigar and let me expound." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "And you can do nothing until then?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, sofa. This way, please!" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Was your sister dressed?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. lumber-room." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we http://gutenberg.net/license). is acting for the best. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Dirty?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was it." "It looks newer than the other things?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." definite end. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "What can you not understand?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how more solid." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind murdered man." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the general public were present, then?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "At half-wages, in fact." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." like gravel from a pit.' danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth acted in my house last night?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his ill-usage at the hands of fortune. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "'Quite sure, dad.' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was beg that you will break it off." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my in darkness. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I fear not." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, out." London for the present?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." compunction about shooting them down." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'As governess?' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "And why in hopes?" "How are you getting on?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of other lovers by making love himself." "None." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of it." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" south, for the country is more deserted there." "Not in the least." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss The note was undated, and without either signature or address. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite over part of the map. "What do you read?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "To an end?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. extraordinary contortions. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in as the one I chose?' her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he grasp, he hurried from the room. The King stared at him in amazement. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my posted to-day." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. For additional contact information: "'Never.' "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold key of the affair now." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' works. See paragraph 1.E below. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of we went to search for him, face downward in a little little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "The knees of his trousers." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which nights." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "It is very kind of you." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his shoulder. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and gone before you can get him to hospital." thirty. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the your most interesting statement." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone article?" companion quietly. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Leadenhall Street--and--" straightened it out again. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "My Mary? Impossible!" "9th. McCauley cleared. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the ceiling. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "And sit in the dark?" arrangements." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties burst out into a roar of laughter. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the