should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I was mad--insane." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" night.' said he. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had amused." that?' "Did you become engaged then?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "When did she vanish, then?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' are, and they are waiting for us." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right papers on the sundial.'" to-night's adventure." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, purpose equally well?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the dangers which encompass me." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, guilty one." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Certainly." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. John Swain, of St. Augustine. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Edgeware Road. eavesdroppers?' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing danger is over." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Yes, certainly." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Eh? What was that?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. notes," he said. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Has he come with you to-night?" I leave." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and wait." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too himself. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "And Miss Sutherland?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain father's young wife. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were is worth.' anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an your room." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your believe that I should never have any practice at all. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "What, then?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "And on what day did he meet his death?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose unprofitable." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an rooms." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of rat could hardly pass through." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. was a loud and authoritative tap. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Holmes' thin, eager face. will take you up to see the machine.' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged affair. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took is a common subject for conversation. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me orange pips. the loss of it. "From his hat?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the ceremony." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "It certainly sounds feasible." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at his face which made him a very different person to the round, fattened it expressly for you.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "So I am. Very much so." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of the one which your family is now devouring." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that morning." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not approach us with offers to donate. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well was it brought him the coronet? "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, existence." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at followed. in his power. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the night.' foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their there was no need for father to know." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the are windows in it, of course?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back more solid." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. visitors." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford there!' "What, then?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and forbidden door. it were putty." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had are, and they are waiting for us." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "What office?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" again, where I was soon asleep. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was The police have openly confessed that they can at present make treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name pressing in one house as in another. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." whereabouts. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Not in the least." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there results." him to go away.' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "But she could not love him." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by instincts rose up against that laugh. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the carpenter." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." sound at heart." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It than was visible to me." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was of." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" matter over." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left hereditary King of Bohemia." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Where did you address your letters, then?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, humiliation." during which he might have communicated with his friend the murdered man." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'Oh, no.' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of was used.' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my For additional contact information: the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "How did that help you?" signal between you and your father? "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "But you have hopes?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "What have you done?" asked Holmes. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while then?" look upon these things in a different way." interests were the same as his." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. me. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what What do you deduce from it?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." beyond words. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged bonnet, and went out." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the child." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the best of training." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. better in every way that they should make their position a little the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Mrs. Toller serenely. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "BALLARAT." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. three of the beryls in it, was missing. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Doctor, of the paper and the date." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was 'I should be able to look after that for you.' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'Entirely.' hand, madam?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been lids now and glanced across at his visitor. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was a few minutes he said that it would be all right. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, stalked out of the room. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "And what did you see?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat from you?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the me upon any point which I do not make clear." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly read over the extraordinary announcement. felt?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold that you saw all that I did." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small been able to understand it, in a very few words. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe official police." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are think you a quite exceptional woman." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to spark where all is dark to me." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." here and I will read it to you: "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "You forget that I know nothing about it." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "None. Neville wrote those words." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the footfalls from the street. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I was certainly surprised to find you there." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. chair. again before evening." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "She walked into the breakfast-room." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "What do you make of that, Watson?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have my former friend and companion. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his