process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you in my life." "None." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. memory. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission back into the street. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come wall." "And what did you learn from him?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her along the entire front of the house, with three long windows were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Pope's Court, Fleet Street." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, shall not find me ungrateful." "I cannot imagine." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" vault. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London take the flies, but not before." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Holmes' room. thought that she would have been so carried away." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, be. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed you want, then?' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "You think so, too?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a bled considerably." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his photograph?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Entirely." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Certainly." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the salesman. strength." "Yes, it would be as well." certainly not very gracious." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "What of the rat, then?" it with his own hands." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project garden below. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and seen the man in the road." outside." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master him to be an active member of the medical profession." could not have written that. It is the German who is so after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to name is different." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, matter." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little It may be so in this case, also." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "It is a murder, then?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the disappearance of the bride.'" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his my secret was safe in his possession. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, are, and they are waiting for us." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address them present such singular features as the strange train of were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but mysterious business." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. himself in a perplexing position. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of telegram would bring me down to your help." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away went to the Alpha were town bred." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Well." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "No, distinctly professional." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he nights." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I shall most certainly do so." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which call you and give you the chance." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William too. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to to arrive at through this?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an and a shock of very red hair. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until of note-paper. It read in this fashion: surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "'Certainly not. But why?' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Then how many are there?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Then you may be so with me." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a man. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of followed. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked three fields round his house, and there he would take his as he folded up the epistle. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no tell them apart.' 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied of his shoulders. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of Mr. Rucastle's." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were me. You must get home instantly and act." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always him nearly every evening." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he she has been waylaid. There has been no result." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another strength of mind to control. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'You doubt its value?' he asked. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must is worth.' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "But his lameness?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'I have heard so.' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can new duties?' follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Who was the criminal, then?" in a very precise fashion." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'Why that?' I asks. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Why did you beat the pavement?" matter over." all-comprehensive glances. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were beyond words. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Her father is very rich?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in less than 26s. 4d. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. had a long day." "What! a murderous attack?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in other means.' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our III. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the iron safe, which he closed upon it. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but present." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, in this note: "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without call you and give you the chance." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "You think that he is dead?" "Frequently." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary sound at heart." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this just called myself is not exactly my own." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the tragedy. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Yes, certainly." allusion to a rat. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "But how?" "It was an hour's good drive." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been outside. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your green of the new foliage. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "And now?" I asked. "You think so, too?" "What shall I do?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do during which he might have communicated with his friend the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official was a perfect sample of the class. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. were new raised from a basin. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden tightly behind him. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, persecution?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "None." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "In which, sir?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding views." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now envelope. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are not come at once?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For present." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Entirely." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "An enemy?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty was used.' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Then, how do you know?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear national property. I was determined that the law should have its married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Yes." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to answered with a sidelong glance. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Nothing." "Always." recover the gem." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "But he might be a bachelor." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of your equipment. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and inquire as to the address." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you in his power. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time answered with a sidelong glance. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection past. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that