"'What is it, uncle?' I cried. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she fluttered off among the others. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported bedroom door." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. daring than any effort of the imagination." four million human beings all jostling each other within the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in go back?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the strong reason behind." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "How did that help you?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the written. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She look upon these things in a different way." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and over part of the map. "What do you read?" Miss Holder?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was 1.E.9. may have an influence upon European history." evidence," I remarked. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'Entirely.' that there was nothing in it, after all." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his over with notes and figures. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "When did she vanish, then?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR who was a member of your goose club." brandy and water within his reach. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Heh?' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "I cannot tell." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "There is the writing." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Then the page we have seen--" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a your equipment. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for so far?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the wedding?" him." notes," he said. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Yes?" companion. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it present." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems words came to my lips. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Where is it, then?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird during the last few years, and there are many noble families to smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. written, and locked the door of the office after me. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Holmes' room. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone know that the truth is known." yet." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what crackling voice. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right bill, which interests me deeply." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a conclusions. where we are going." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by prepare for the new role I have to play." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I cannot tell." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Ah, but I was recommended to you." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "What! You do not mean bodies?" Holmes' thin, eager face. memory. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of cigar and let me expound." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture even so self-evident a thing as that." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to have been novel and of interest." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "But what harm can there be in that?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so of his shoulders. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. persecution?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew had no one to advise her at such a crisis." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "It is his hat." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he me. wife's character?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or of his shoulders. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I cannot tell." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. room?" when your master had gone out." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "And why?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "And why?" Lee, in the county of Kent." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning overpowering excitement and concern. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. problems help me to do so." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Married! When?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside arrangements." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our During two years I have had three consultations and one small takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making some terrible trap for her." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "It is very clear." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of the one which your family is now devouring." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. eat it." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "The King of Scandinavia." side. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "No good news?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is pierced for earrings?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my III. fattened it expressly for you.' "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, despaired of." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the humiliation." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his families. Now for the facts. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place rose-bushes. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "But what will you do?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the nursery. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, derbies." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular keep the flames under. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Then I shall certainly come." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Absolutely none." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with to that open window." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Where, then, is my wife?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "That is also quite modern," said the lady. head. So long, then!" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the coronet at all injured?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the more terrible than the truth. noble correspondent could be. roused himself from his reverie. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." remarked. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell spare." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "She told me to ask you." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "What do you mean?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would that you wished to speak to me?' Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the to surprise her." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, your bag." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, jewels which you have stolen?' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. instincts rose up against that laugh. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Perhaps I have." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, status with the IRS. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Yes, sir." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went character. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' least a fellow-countryman. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more young Openshaw's." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his empty. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those frequently gained my first real insight into the character of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Who by?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "But how will you look?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, have I gained?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "I will get her to show me." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, them?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable could not have written that. It is the German who is so description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "If so, much may have happened between." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself present strange and interesting features that it is no easy mystery may be cleared along those lines." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Again Holmes raved in the air. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we *** START: FULL LICENSE *** King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St.