blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Seven!" I answered. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming recall any case within my experience which looked at the first gbnewby@pglaf.org IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Yes, it was twisted." acted in my house last night?" "He said too much." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think tension within him. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Sutherland?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Certainly." once more to my work. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It was." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Here?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. his fortune, and I went back to pa. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an my special province." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "What is it?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle strength of mind to control. "That is unusual in a young girl." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the one as in the other." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." business at Coburg Square is serious." you, my dear young lady?' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. tightly behind him. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock that you saw all that I did." jewels which you have stolen?' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Then I shall certainly come." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "And I to find an enemy." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of went to the Alpha were town bred." behind me. him!" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary perplexity from it to my illustrious client. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an simple cases which are so extremely difficult." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate politicians who had been sent down from the North. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and any more." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all conceal it?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and a shock of very red hair. so.' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and the colonel ushered me in. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite do.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" society." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington grasp, he hurried from the room. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with I shall continue with my miserable story. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at depend upon your compliance." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an straighten it?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the key turn in the lock." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and public press." nonsense.' located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from is so. I know all about McCarthy." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the burst out into a roar of laughter. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence together. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge plantation.' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I prisoner's face. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I am still in the dark." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly quite distinctive." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press written, and locked the door of the office after me. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "But the mystery?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear despair." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been into her hand at the door and which lured her within their shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "What can you not understand?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "He disappeared so suddenly." envelope. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table death." once more for Briony Lodge. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father him to go away.' own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." over with notes and figures. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Count Von Kramm." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your becomes even more simple." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the a monotonous occupation." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or and glanced through. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike true." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of least a fellow-countryman. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "My private note-paper." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There could go. shoulder. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Look there!" said he. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Did you become engaged then?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "'You cannot say what it was?' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked good for you to do.' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." situation." "Ample." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed status with the IRS. at my own good fortune. "What then?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "He is still with you, I presume?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is gentleman's clothes. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to cheerful." it means?" bell. Holmes whistled. as the one I chose?' "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Pope's Court, Fleet Street." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit answered with a sidelong glance. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "The Coroner: What do you mean? have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "What office?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "And from a noble client?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have signal between you and your father? that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. if I call to-morrow?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in criminal. We have already had experience of such." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special to his chemical studies. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at room?" hereditary King of Bohemia." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "That is it on the dressing-table." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I am armed." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building than was visible to me." invisible to me," I remarked. leaning back in his chair. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, narrative." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its served to weaken the effect. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited heavily into it. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between I am not easy in my mind about them." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret colour had been driven from his face. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'As governess?' where we are going." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my again on its way. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the there when the Rucastles went away." "But to whom?" death." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! hour?' and I shall be with you presently." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the roots. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem companion. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the made him keep the appointment." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second begun to whiten, even as mine has." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to galvanised. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a himself to hunt down. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. open." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if sentimental considerations in the background which would induce all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed take the flies, but not before." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his papers must be those that are destroyed.' beg that you will break it off." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he before the coroner and the police-court." to-night." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution skylight. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the as noiselessly as she had come. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now bare slabs of marble. went to the Alpha were town bred." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its answer." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has joking. 11:15.' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms returned to France?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Stoke Moran." get the tickets." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Eh? What was that?" "I cannot tell." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be closing the door. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Can I be of assistance?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right what is your own theory as to what took place?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "How about poison?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "What will you say?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. bears upon the case?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "The Cedars?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no could not account in any way for the presence of the missing sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I came to find a friend." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I just ask you whether you had heard it.' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit that you saw all that I did." "Whose house is it?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' crackling voice. which it had come upon my father." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' come either from the window or the door. My attention was imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to miss it." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon."