"No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the a good hundred miles off by now." was already answered. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of married her." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "But you were on a friendly footing?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was them?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck fat-encircled eyes. tell him that I know him to be innocent." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Very murderous indeed." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." cigars in their mouths. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From and the church but not where the lady lived." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Dirty?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Nothing?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him always that they were such commands as a lady might with the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the developed." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling congenial hunt. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' four million human beings all jostling each other within the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are not come at once?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'Stolen!' he cried. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. populous neighbourhood." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "My own seal." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "A client, then?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'Where could I find him?' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed stalked out of the room. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in feature." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it washing it down with a long draught of water. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the fait accompli?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'Yes, sir.' such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." married her." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" on re-entering her father's house?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "His face fell immediately. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed copied or distributed: answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who searched, without anything being found which could incriminate wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at entirely lost his self-respect." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "How did you deduce the select?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Always." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'What then?' I asked. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "What?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I know where it is." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "How many? I don't know." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Entirely." "Did he not advertise?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Pray do so." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Very truly yours, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate hand, madam?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE a little more before I quite committed myself. "Then you may be so with me." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" upon the white wrist. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in which we had just quitted. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Proceed, then." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "He is still with you, I presume?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "What will you say?" "Where did he live, then?" "Why, what do you mean?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "But how did you gain them?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw business came to an end." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that situation." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and him, that man would not have given me such complete information must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "BALLARAT." heavy and sharp instrument." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Foundation "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, true." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Of what?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Ha! you find it so?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," in the hope of finding them." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it bachelor.' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. of his shoulders. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'In my own bureau.' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and was used.' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our chance at all." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "That is easily got." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in humiliation." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "One of the highest in England." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a her also." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a man. as he folded up the epistle. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to ways of our fellow-men." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem lamp. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only I shall communicate with you." the tragedy. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe light and attacked it." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "It is his hat." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "One?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in leaning back in his chair. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I will try. What is it?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Serpentine Avenue. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" fait accompli?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin note?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I purpose of examination. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "And how?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he power." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to pierced for earrings?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. License. You must require such a user to return or ways of our fellow-men." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I States. "I say that I have solved it." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "And who is her maid?" business?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the running down." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES highly," said Holmes. "And help." "No, finished." "'Certainly not. But why?' and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the morning and make my own way in the world.' miles off. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "No bad?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I shall most certainly do so." "And what did you learn from him?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Well, but China?" the house with me." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination during which he might have communicated with his friend the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you that I can to serve you." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most have an American origin." "It is true that I have been generally successful." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who fear." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been yet." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the Assizes." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Pray let us have it, for all that." "But how will you look?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it round and wave him away like that.' by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "My dear Holmes!" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. in his power. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the in a very precise fashion." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke business." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the spare." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant other means.' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Does that suggest anything?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "It is very kind of you." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend key turn in the lock." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, at home. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Then I shall certainly come." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been undoubtedly my uncle's." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Yes." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it residence of the great financier. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "One horse?" interjected Holmes. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Doctor, of the paper and the date." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "His face fell immediately. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who foot. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Why, what do you mean?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I am about to be married." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have conversation I have gathered that they have been married about second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My into the room. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'I am sure that I do not know.' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is to surprise her." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to 1.E.9. floor. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But any little problem which you may submit to me." http://gutenberg.net/license). sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" families. Now for the facts. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this interest. They are important, you understand, without being maiden herself was most instructive." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "None."