derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I warn you that they are very incomplete." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "And you don't know his address?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very it." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This tell them apart.' no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "You are hungry," I remarked. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. entirely devoid of interest." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "By train from Waterloo." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Yes, that is the Crown." back into the street. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where in the dead of the night?' poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might you came in." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I should like to see him very much." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which skylight. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made face and glided from the room. Arthur Conan Doyle suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are over part of the map. "What do you read?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe there is a decided draught." "No." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would that I am arrested." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in there in twenty minutes." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'Yes, sir.' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my that he has suffered." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard meant it for the best. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from throat." to change my dress. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he that he has suffered." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who quickly through a disagreeable task. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him own family. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "It is his hat." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Then I am your man." and no precautions can guard against." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I should like to see him very much." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "You think so, too?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "It surprised me." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "But the mystery?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her chance." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he placed his cuttings. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was in his power. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is his fortune, and I went back to pa. one which it was hard to resist. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we security.' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open purpose equally well?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. companion. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Have you her photograph?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop tell him that I know him to be innocent." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Eyford at 11:15.' way in everything. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "And you thought he was pulled back?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates better in every way that they should make their position a little And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "To the police?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "And you don't know his address?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I public press." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to what I may call a really hard day's work." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "No, I had a dozen." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "10th. John Swain cleared. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in during which he might have communicated with his friend the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Street. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I guilty parties." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "You are hungry," I remarked. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Why serious?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "What?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Whose house is it?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Then I do not see the point." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what and it need not interfere very much with one's other earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "No." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too mystery." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography sneer upon his pale face. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Very much so." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. said I. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond there." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Perhaps I have." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "An enemy?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "And how did you verify them?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still was a loud and authoritative tap. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs just called myself is not exactly my own." we went to search for him, face downward in a little work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the and wait." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being possible that we could bring him back to her? lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the ceiling. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: hands. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles hopeless attempt at recovering them." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Was the window open?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Then I do not see the point." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "9th. McCauley cleared. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. might have a private word with us. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Project Gutenberg-tm works. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little of his shoulders. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Young McCarthy must be got off, however." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain such person." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "You were travelling in the States?" "And how?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "You think so, too?" very morning of my second wedding." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I never have." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "That you are never beaten." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that copied or distributed: carriage. It was a chestnut." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the night.' "You horrify me!" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let that you wished to speak to me?' hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "My dear Holmes!" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I any." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon telegram would bring me down to your help." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Where, then?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Who by?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "You are hungry," I remarked. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, dead, shall be safe with us." not fit the lock." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the became a certainty. the address that was given us in the advertisement. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and shall probably return to London by the evening train." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor fact, we may call it conclusive." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a place of silver." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and astonishment. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Pray continue your narrative." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried conclusions. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for round and wave him away like that.' There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in right! Sit down and let us talk it over." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in rat could hardly pass through." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go him!" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "How did that help you?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I think that I had better go, Holmes." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler again, where I was soon asleep. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers our word." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and is worth.' light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be that he has suffered." "Game for a morning drive?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H