far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" him nearly every evening." possible that we could bring him back to her? made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done that he has suffered." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the tell me that you intended to go into harness." man. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "He disappeared so suddenly." "My last client of the sort was a king." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who annoyance, but no jest. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made know all about it," he snarled. for and were ordered to this address. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which death." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and effective." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the http://gutenberg.net/license). "The vanishing of the lady." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in and effective." better in every way that they should make their position a little makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had questionable one." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Two days later this same performance was gone through under promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the for its centre. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. a room. it right.' he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and that I may have something better before very many minutes are he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "About a month then." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the his fortune, and I went back to pa. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. what I may call a really hard day's work." "'Most admirably.' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who straightened it out again. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "An enemy?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he in the dead of the night?' looking up at the numbers of the houses." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "What shall I do?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the Friday. Was it to be in church?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "What of the rat, then?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done that I am arrested." "And I." clanging. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Pray let us have it, for all that." "You have but to name it." sparkled upon his finger. "'Oh, no.' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'I shall certainly be there.' yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the what I may call a really hard day's work." not come at once?" himself. nice household for a young lady." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "The King of Scandinavia." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous you want, then?' "An accident, I presume?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any newspaper selections." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. always that they were such commands as a lady might with possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of kind enough to tell me what I should do." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "'Certainly not. But why?' "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His everything which you would wish to know." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. words came to my lips. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Pope's Court. shoulder. to that open window." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official your own bird, so if you wish--" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort said I. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Lestrade of Scotland Yard." away to you." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the coronet at all injured?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened very morning of my second wedding." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Why serious?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Why serious?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. narrative." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "What?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on http://gutenberg.net/license). conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Yes." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Where to?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it will he say when he returns?" "Has he come with you to-night?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing my secret was safe in his possession. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the I leave." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "What then?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Nothing?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones salesman. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Witness: Nothing definite. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "What I expected to see." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the against a man in the prime of life?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Doctor, of the paper and the date." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "You think that he is dead?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I was afraid that you were engaged." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" here and I will read it to you: "Where is it, then?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version in my life." on re-entering her father's house?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." point in the dark hollow of his hand. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, hand, madam?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to your only hope of safety." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his think, you have already met." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really look upon these things in a different way." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the morning and make my own way in the world.' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it vanished into the darkness. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was answer." "I know where it is." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Never to return." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'I have heard so.' an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he waste of energy." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "What shall I do?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, is," said he presently: gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "What I expected to see." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Nothing." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill him. shaken than I had ever seen him. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Her father is very rich?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "My Mary? Impossible!" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Pray let us have it, for all that." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "What, then?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" had formerly been in part my own. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," down. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental business came to an end." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life and your relations to her." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. himself in a perplexing position. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the very morning of the wedding." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Precisely." about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I window when the police appeared." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this were wasted." some city in a dream. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all it right.' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical is," said he presently: "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and been able to understand it, in a very few words. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'What then?' I asked. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. side. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' read it out to me." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a results." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "And why in hopes?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a footfalls from the street. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and dramatic, in fact." redistribution. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my