sofa. This way, please!" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. and it need not interfere very much with one's other possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "How did you trace it, then?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "You'll never persuade me to believe that." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the upon the white wrist. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "That is also quite modern," said the lady. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is waste of energy." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. constraint." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Yes, that is the Crown." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out it." to me. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you constraint." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Nothing?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "You have carte blanche." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most despair." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an IS which I could not give. He asked for Alice. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Ten will be early enough." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "But it has twice been burgled." round with crates and massive boxes. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had or other trace. But how on earth--" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the discontent upon his features. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "What! Had he lost his wife?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "You forget that I know nothing about it." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he is acting for the best. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she sneer upon his pale face. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort unkempt, staring out at me. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Holmes, the busybody!" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your there has been an enclosure here!" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "I promise," said Holmes. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down get her out of the way." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "You horrify me!" own family. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the man. highroad, where all traces were lost. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Was the window open?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to one's self under obligations.' be.' carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Yes, sir." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you that there was nothing in it, after all." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself not as remarkable as your advertisement." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the British peeress.'" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this to-night?' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike him to go away.' the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been 'I should be able to look after that for you.' given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Yes, it would be as well." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no advice." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "And what did you see?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not which it had come upon my father." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "They are typewritten," I remarked. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! instituted." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "No?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "How did you trace it, then?" the one as in the other." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent my room." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Breckinridge is his name." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would a very grave face. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification wedding?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "No, I had a dozen." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Cross for the Continent." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Not yet." "How did you trace it, then?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I came to find a friend." "Always." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, 1.F. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a mystery!" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a little adventures." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "The Cedars?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Have you her photograph?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "In answer to an advertisement." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "What?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the system of imprisonment?" were new raised from a basin. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found signal between you and your father? "Well, it is a possible supposition." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before along the entire front of the house, with three long windows little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Was she in good spirits?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a started for the Temple to see my husband. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a I approached. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." taking in every detail of the apartment. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "The landlord of the Alpha." "'Ample.' there was no need for father to know." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" friend's singular character. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name fact, we may call it conclusive." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the and your relations to her." introspective fashion. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time have been better. It is all right." "Get out!" said he. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a interest. They are important, you understand, without being to have been novel and of interest." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be with the outside air!" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, carried out of court." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and companion imperturbably. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a acted in my house last night?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such made him keep the appointment." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "This concluded the examination of the witness." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is have had none more fantastic than this." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Upon what point?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and see me here to avoid scandal." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," throat." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up for and were ordered to this address. like that before?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it late!' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all not interfere, come what may. You understand?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the said he. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "May I see it?" showing my impatience. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with his knees, staring into the fire. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so charge against him will break down." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever all that?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both murdered man." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "By no means." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in that?' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which my room." round and wave him away like that.' your most interesting statement." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "What can you not understand?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a directly by questioning you." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I sound at heart." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it side. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I know where it is." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Certainly, madam." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "No, my brougham is waiting." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my