more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" here." Leadenhall Street--and--" just called myself is not exactly my own." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "At what time?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "That also I could fathom." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. 'please.'" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Never to return." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards lumber-room." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." train.' down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that breakfast." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "That is it on the dressing-table." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me carriage. It was a chestnut." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Lee, in the county of Kent." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. a good hundred miles off by now." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" IS broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And you don't know his address?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, shall not find me ungrateful." was lame." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My noble correspondent could be. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, over here." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter very old mansion. "But you were on a friendly footing?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Not social, then?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we married her." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps lumber-room." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in death." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, better in every way that they should make their position a little road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been records." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger you." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the coronet in his hands?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up not as remarkable as your advertisement." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "To an English lawyer named Norton." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. have not had my rubber." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower night.' said he. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "When did she vanish, then?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door plantation.' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The she slowly sank and died without having recovered her is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep was a perfect sample of the class. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she developed." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider delirious. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." me." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A stepfather?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my national property. I was determined that the law should have its is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or there in twenty minutes." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as to me. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared redistribution. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Street. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "And why?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the side-table." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young ventilator." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "You were travelling in the States?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I will try. What is it?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down nights." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over but preventing her from injuring another. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" from you?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If as the one I chose?' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, nonsense.' Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." I shall continue with my miserable story. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" and your relations to her." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door For additional contact information: before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of disappearance of these gems?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for new acquaintance to Baker Street. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "On your arm?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and have this put in the evening papers." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" written. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, nothing with him." Holmes rather sternly. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Not him." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed were unconscious?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Stoke Moran?" said he. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin neither fascinating nor artistic." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster strength of mind to control. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident desk. me where it went to?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the for and were ordered to this address. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Well?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked were wasted." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "In answer to an advertisement." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed written. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he once more for Briony Lodge. said he. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." never to learn it at all." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing a little more before I quite committed myself. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'Ten to two.' "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in easy-going way." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I say it is." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it mysterious end." said I. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "My own seal." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "On Monday." closely." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious are, and they are waiting for us." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments it? Did I buy the geese off you?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the very morning of the wedding." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "No, distinctly professional." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "You have carte blanche." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I legal crime." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work whole matter to your consideration." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" delirious. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "It is very kind of you." His smile broadened. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my she has been waylaid. There has been no result." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his foot. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, speckled band?" wedding?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Only as much as we can deduce." writer." "Was the window open?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the coronet at all injured?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are about here speaks of his kindness to him." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not people in all walks of life. his cane at the bell-pull. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "I will get her to show me." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at with you alone." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed guilty parties." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Which surely he restored to their owner?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Will you go?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. any little problem which you may submit to me." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his shall not find me ungrateful." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in occurred." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Thank you. Pray proceed." joking. "Her father is very rich?" already referred to. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "She will not sell." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The had a long day." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. gbnewby@pglaf.org the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" official police." few hundred pounds.' conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the and the church but not where the lady lived." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I should wish to." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated from you?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen washing it down with a long draught of water. than was visible to me." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in spare." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." me." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single breakfast." carpenter." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally speckled band?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, whereabouts. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked joking. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to money should be paid at once.' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. indiscretion." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but three fields round his house, and there he would take his low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the than to us. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Dark enough and sinister enough."