"I see no marks." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. forbidden door. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque invisible to me," I remarked. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection shoulder. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the you." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Certainly." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "It is solved." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. clanging. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Holmes' face clouded over. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "And your mother is alive?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to for the market.' about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "No." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" back into the street. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the salesman. "And your mother is alive?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' that he will be back before evening." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Stoke Moran." "No, finished." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "There is the writing." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" get her out of the way." points to suicide?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" outside." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the unprecedented a position." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Nothing?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than there has been an enclosure here!" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "It is a murder, then?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these allusion to a rat. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have vanished into the darkness. walking." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "And how have you succeeded?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Nothing." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, quick march!" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg been deceived." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Where to?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" meanly of me." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend to talk it over. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Proceed, then." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, fear." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' there was no need for father to know." all-comprehensive glances. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Cross for the Continent." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "May I see it?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as criminal. We have already had experience of such." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned a few minutes he said that it would be all right. upon the sideboard." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others acted in my house last night?" just called myself is not exactly my own." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Never." locked." as the one I chose?' evidence," I remarked. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Yes, it would be as well." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Nothing." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Yes, there are nearly always some there." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are works. have I gained?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the and put his glass in his pocket. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "An enemy?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Does that suggest anything?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Miss Holder?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which McCarthy's innocence. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house seem to you to be relevant or not." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Does that suggest anything?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "What!" he roared. outbreak?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "If I can be of use." undoubtedly my uncle's." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Yes. He waved his hands." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and have I gained?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House occupations.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Have you good authority for what you say?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my round and wave him away like that.' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned call it cruel." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it key of the affair now." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "A client, then?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "It certainly sounds feasible." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All place, I think that there is good ground to think that the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." least a most suspicious remark." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss key turn in the lock." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike delighted to hear it," he said. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I don't say that. Perhaps." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," all?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no to surprise her." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Yes." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "No more words. Get out!" that he will be back before evening." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Seven!" I answered. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "You are hungry," I remarked. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at it." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Holmes rather sternly. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "But you can know nothing of this?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "My private note-paper." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Certainly." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'Quite sure, dad.' quickly through a disagreeable task. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Gutenberg-tm License. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my if she died from some sudden fright." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely everything which you would wish to know." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her morning." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up this unhappy family?" "And what then?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "It certainly sounds feasible." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "I am following you closely," I answered. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Whose house is it?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "That was it, sir." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can make me his representative both with the servants and with the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "This photograph!" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my bed dies. Does not that strike you?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "That is unusual in a young girl." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at enough to aid us in our search." "Perhaps I have." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away despair." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey him." murdered man." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without burst out into a roar of laughter. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "'I am sure that I do not know.' heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. that there was nothing in it, after all." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which orange pips. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know morning." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then outside." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "And you can do nothing until then?" maid will bring up your coffee." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been is now desirous of getting those letters back." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, writer." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the to-morrow." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the had picked up in the wood. I am not easy in my mind about them." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be will find little credit to be gained out of this case." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "My opinion is in no way altered." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a mysterious business." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "And now?" He raised his hand. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the very morning of the wedding." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may