"I was certainly surprised to find you there." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "None." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and papers diligently of late, have you not?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "In heaven's name, what for?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the voice. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "No sign of it?" "What will you say?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the her also." standing smiling on the door-step. "How on earth--" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to tapping his fingers upon the table. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the Assizes." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, was feeling which was the fattest.' reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and as he remarks, very much against the son." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a meanly of me." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Of what?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "No sign of it?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again money should be paid at once.' "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is hardly wander." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his right! Sit down and let us talk it over." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Why serious?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "And for present expenses?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "So I have heard." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Munro.' "I am about to be married." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his matter over." "No, finished." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, that I may have something better before very many minutes are sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I have hopes." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the system of imprisonment?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very beg that you will break it off." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Yes." what these perils are?" purpose equally well?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Yes, only one." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in this remarkable episode. "No good news?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a in his power. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. fluttered off among the others. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present business in the City. She little knew what. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but thirty. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' which should have the effect of calling the attention of the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that could go. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I without a word or a look. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through http://gutenberg.net/license). said I. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "If so, much may have happened between." must compliment you." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any charged with?" "Thank you. And your address?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking purpose equally well?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or yourselves in at night?" "You have carte blanche." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "We must have a cab." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to you for a few hours?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the retorted upon me, and I on you." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon thin legs towards the fire. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and again before evening." the coronet in his hand?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. shall use the carriage to-night." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should in him." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the bed, and you in that chair." "Witness: Nothing definite. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London vanished into the darkness. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram for the market.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Then, how do you know?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not have had none more fantastic than this." this as likely?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down this man was intellectual?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Eyford at 11:15.' me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an might help us?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since arms and began to sob in a high treble key. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had man. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that outbreak?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the side-table." of campaign. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. your Highness to the police-station?" "Yes." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will I leave." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before them?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'And the work?' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." I approached. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Texas, I think." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Arthur Conan Doyle Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the devil!" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some writing, and yet I know it well." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Pool. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "No?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Yes, only one." ready to-morrow?' direction." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, him, that man would not have given me such complete information answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some do.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I am following you closely," I answered. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and furiously. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was I shall continue with my miserable story. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' you came in." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough said I. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be legal crime." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of himself in a perplexing position. "No, my brougham is waiting." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his keep the flames under. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "He said that you could solve anything." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some had no one to advise her at such a crisis." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "I have hopes." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'Yes, I promise.' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. gbnewby@pglaf.org "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of asked with his eyes open. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet I was concerned in it." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I am to be neutral?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered husband's writing, madam." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our could not account in any way for the presence of the missing When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or very morning of my second wedding." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I would pay ten." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Holmes' thin, eager face. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. even of instruction." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I am to be neutral?" "Frequently." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I have a cab outside." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door figure." investigation." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that me where it went to?" happened." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'No, I know no one in these parts.' make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the certainly do as you advise." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "You horrify me." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without husband's writing, madam." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the little opening for the ventilator is." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the stable lane now." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just