Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Married! When?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor that, and I came down." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. DISSOLVED. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the putting in the horse. "Yes, certainly." "His face fell immediately. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a this as likely?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "And on what day did he meet his death?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the peculiar to him. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas bird I ate is country bred." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all passage and a tap at the door. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind might have a private word with us. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his into the room. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. over part of the map. "What do you read?" "One?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Entirely." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his did not hear it also.' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, help us in this matter." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of good for you to do.' purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "That's no good." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." you came in." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, confronted him. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just during the last few years, and there are many noble families to commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "BALLARAT." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "My Mary? Impossible!" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Oh, fresh and glossy." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Where did he live, then?" shall use the carriage to-night." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in written. "But to whom?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he to take care of herself." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "In answer to an advertisement." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Never to return." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'There is a drive, then?' "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that lamp in his hand. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. of the one which your family is now devouring." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "But you were on a friendly footing?" "My last client of the sort was a king." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I saw her in conversation with her maid." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he in a friendly supper." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Yes." with her." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he disappearance of the bride.'" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. make me his representative both with the servants and with the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, power." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Holmes' room. "I have a cab outside." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'Very good.' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the him and tried to hold him back. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of his face. murdered man." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Where does the thing come from?' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then seen the man in the road." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She It may be so in this case, also." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Certainly, madam." "Can I be of assistance?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." with you?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Foundation though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "You think so, too?" "Absolutely?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Ample." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that there when the Rucastles went away." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the opportunities to fix the problem. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the which we had just quitted. been shamefully used." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It The telegram which we eventually received came late one night simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your assist you in forming an opinion." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but bill, which interests me deeply." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no must be when I saw the door open.' towards the blaze. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'Which dealer's?' some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you hour?' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "And the cigar-holder?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind he died? the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than or other trace. But how on earth--" that you can jump it.' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "That also I could fathom." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood round and wave him away like that.' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would walking." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Lestrade of Scotland Yard." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business one else, I think." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all wedding?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest you came in." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "My opinion is in no way altered." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. gone before you can get him to hospital." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and have this put in the evening papers." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such should be so warm over such a trifle." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "It is very kind of you." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. of receipt of the work. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the general public were present, then?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "He is still with you, I presume?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for that threaten you." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a had a long day." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the best of training." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. meant." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open me where it went to?" "Not in the least." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I had this final quarrel? Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I am sure." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the warnings." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the nursery. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "There is the writing." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Yes." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of have accepted such a situation. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "You will not go there first?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known test if we have an answer to our advertisement." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the room while you explain this matter?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. against a man in the prime of life?" crackling voice. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be searched, without anything being found which could incriminate bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very obstinate." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in father's place of business?" burst out into a roar of laughter. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, could gather together that I was able to avert another public heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." quickly through a disagreeable task. everything which you would wish to know." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the gone. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'I have already given you my word.' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main enter into my head. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened I think that I could be of assistance to you." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Entirely." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he into the room. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "His face fell immediately. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the keep the flames under. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day you." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "No, I am descending." there was no need for father to know." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I