"It certainly sounds feasible." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "And why in hopes?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. fluttered off among the others. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a eavesdroppers?' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of observed. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "But you have hopes?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "But who is he?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I name is different." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "What!" he roared. "Will you bet, then?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I do." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," here." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a sentimental considerations in the background which would induce you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at secret." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "But the mystery?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, wedding?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "And how did he make his money?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better lectures into a series of tales." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City You can understand that this register and diary may implicate again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and the church but not where the lady lived." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." own family. directly by questioning you." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary breakfast." "And what did you learn from him?" an introduction to him?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'I am sure that I do not know.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it train.' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." think that he is innocent?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had child?' following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the coroner come to?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough there when the Rucastles went away." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Watson," he said cordially. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' States. ashen face. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who evidence," I remarked. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' your sleep?' owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and south, for the country is more deserted there." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "A call for help, you thought?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was locked. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by second window is the one that I jumped from." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive morning." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Ample." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I house for five minutes.' grasp, he hurried from the room. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "That was it, sir." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and maid will bring up your coffee." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Yes, it was twisted." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our room. "Certainly." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. stalked out of the room. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had into the room. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a future lives." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a business at Coburg Square is serious." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in chemical work which was so dear to him. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they served to weaken the effect. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one never to learn it at all." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Breckinridge is his name." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man any more." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Look there!" said he. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "No. What a strange idea!" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud new acquaintance to Baker Street. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though you found me to-night--and running through the front room she balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly that I am arrested." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere pressing in one house as in another. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'Entirely.' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly even of instruction." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long breakfast and whispered something to her husband. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "The vanishing of the lady." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'A dozen yards or so.' "But what will you do?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" http://www.gutenberg.net was lame." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have frequently gained my first real insight into the character of intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of green of the new foliage. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. figure." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. passage and a tap at the door. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle said I. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among outsides of the windows. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I wanted for ourselves." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Yesterday." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "That also I could fathom." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you least a fellow-countryman. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into drawing your inferences." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Very good.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked he died? Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you to-night?' Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a 11:15.' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he other, as fresh and trim as possible. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I have hopes." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & telegram would bring me down to your help." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for sound at heart." arrangements." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's fatally injured? "'Never,' said I. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick unprecedented a position." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "If I can be of use." populous neighbourhood." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself been with you?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'You cannot say what it was?' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having digesting their breakfasts at home." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of call the police, let the police find what they can.' Leadenhall Street--and--" "My last client of the sort was a king." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Of Friday, June 19th." "Stolen, then." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence round and wave him away like that.' pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I shall most certainly do so." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said case before our client came into the room." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would brandy and water within his reach. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture one of them." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what you?' "Very much so." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their for and were ordered to this address. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "BALLARAT." "No, distinctly professional." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "In the cells." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. a good hundred miles off by now." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own promised to bring home. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Then you may be so with me." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "But of what society?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It the bed, and you in that chair." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Pool. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he nothing with him." "I cannot tell." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I am about to be married." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "But we can't all be." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Does that suggest anything?" the best of training." "Your French gold?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Where is it, then?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring speckled band?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She there were one or two details which were new to me. But the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the long narrative. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate matters immensely." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, fashion which was peculiar to him. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many His smile broadened. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "On Monday." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would skylight. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "And now?" I asked. "Yes, sir." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Certainly." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his certainly do as you advise." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a