bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to over with notes and figures. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Holmes, the busybody!" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the date of his supposed suicide." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the stable lane now." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of already referred to. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back populous neighbourhood." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I nothing of it?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock recover the gem." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "And you can do nothing until then?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but are, I think, all that we need." "Yes." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Very well, sir. And this stone?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came to have been novel and of interest." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. drove away. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small photograph?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in said he. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who will find little credit to be gained out of this case." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous said he at last. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the any more." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'Quite sure, dad.' smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be you for a few hours?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." breakfast." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "You will not go there first?" posted to-day." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Dark enough and sinister enough." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the station." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' success. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three lectures into a series of tales." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for of." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "I never have." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue voice, changing her seat as requested. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "No." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and beg that you will break it off." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have presented which may be striking and bizarre without being where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and strength of mind to control. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Two days later this same performance was gone through under that, and I came down." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to was lame." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "BALLARAT." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him breakfast?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to always that they were such commands as a lady might with clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Of what day?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but to a more successful conclusion." "It was." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at that he will be back before evening." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the bottom.' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for What do you deduce from it?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I you came in." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his business." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I am following you closely," I answered. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "It must be recovered." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you showing my impatience. nothing with him." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have bird I ate is country bred." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him you came in." "But how?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to answered with a sidelong glance. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening wife's character?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he troubles have been weighing upon his mind. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "How many? I don't know." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Where, then?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." gentleman's clothes. hereditary King of Bohemia." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which nonsense.' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." hurried by. "What office?" late." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Not yet." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their was a loud and authoritative tap. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the window, rose as we entered. in his hands." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "But we can't all be." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Not particularly." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "No, distinctly professional." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into to-night's adventure." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "It is true that I have been generally successful." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save said I. room?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES back into the street. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for without a word or a look. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Yes." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Leadenhall Street--and--" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "In answer to an advertisement." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we photograph?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing go back?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your fishes. crime." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a furiously. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling call the police, let the police find what they can.' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of spark where all is dark to me." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Well, but China?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "It was an hour's good drive." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his you want, then?' and I shall be with you presently." of campaign. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'And the work?' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably so far?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, His name is Francis Prosper." crime. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I cannot imagine." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence upon a handsome competence. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had The telegram which we eventually received came late one night even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had and looked back. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to spark where all is dark to me." invisible to me," I remarked. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to I shall continue with my miserable story. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to a light-house. both be extremely obliged.' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to in him." you." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'I am sure if I had known--' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to arrive at through this?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. round and wave him away like that.' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so should be taken.' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "No, but the enclosure is." "'Is purely nominal.' sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where later, upon the night of May 2nd." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Yes." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of at my remark. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "But what will you do?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I cannot tell." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without when your master had gone out." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" where we are going." and put his glass in his pocket. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions did not hear it also.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Entirely." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a him!" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "What have you to say now?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. carpenter." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" constraint." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are astonishment. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Proceed, then." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. minor matters until to-morrow." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Nothing." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to