and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great heavy and sharp instrument." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the King without delay." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "BALLARAT." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Get out!" said he. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to ago." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a me. You must get home instantly and act." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw would then never go into court at all." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind cheerful." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to front of me. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Then how many are there?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Bought." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "That is also quite modern," said the lady. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind compunction about shooting them down." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "The murder was done with it." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Then I am your man." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my leave you to your papers for a little." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent been shamefully used." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "And is that all?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause less than 26s. 4d. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "And your father? Did you tell him?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened you." I think that I could be of assistance to you." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no here." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "And how did you find out?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Her father is very rich?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Perhaps we may make them less so." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Murdered?" cigar and let me expound." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Stolen, then." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "My private note-paper." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "The landlord of the Alpha." "What?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some man. I know him from the photograph." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. footfalls from the street. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between strength." His name is Francis Prosper." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Stoke Moran?" said he. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the my room." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," absorbing." to tackle the facts." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "But not more so than I to find you." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly memory. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am of Mr. Rucastle's." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'Where could I find him?' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the you give your casting vote to?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Certainly." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "'Where to?' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late directors, with the result that you have seen." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Certainly, madam." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the best of training." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "You have but to name it." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for friends, not even his own brother. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was and all of them with the keenest interest. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which bonnet, and went out." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the devil!" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "10th. John Swain cleared. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Well, but China?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Dr. Becher's." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I cannot imagine." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. dates and names. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am James Windibank. Voilà tout!" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'Not at all. I only doubt--' were unconscious?" certainly not very gracious." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between morning." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, so.' looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "But she will refuse." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I beg pardon." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right front of me. 1.E.9. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have had formerly been in part my own. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood vault. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can my room." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "The vanishing of the lady." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "But who is he?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to room. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you already been minutely examined." like that before?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Tired-looking or fresh?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One really the only notable feature about the thing." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious to some other building. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil empty. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his to-night?' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "It looks newer than the other things?" case-book, which he consulted. I held the little printed slip to the light. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project possible that we could bring him back to her? does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm bearing upon the case." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "I cannot imagine." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed detained." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. photograph?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of gone. that I am arrested." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of the one which your family is now devouring." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady again before evening." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he only touch the interest." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried presented which may be striking and bizarre without being quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had posted to-day." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and laid it on the table. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "The gentleman I describe." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that power." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Her father is very rich?" dear old homesteads?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and put his glass in his pocket. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'Yes.' On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I am still in the dark." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally stood on the top of it. "No." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I interest. They are important, you understand, without being and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down not interfere, come what may. You understand?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a a monotonous occupation." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight house for five minutes.' "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: very morning of my second wedding." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my my special province." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "A greater distance to travel." and have this put in the evening papers." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential my friend's incisive reasoning. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm fled together." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I cannot think." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "What is it?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend with frightened eyes at his accuser. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should heavily into it. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester for securing the situation." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Very. But will he see it?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the highly," said Holmes. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of trifles." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his to go into your room and bar your shutters?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the door?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Yes, sir." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." go--none." "And now?" He raised his hand. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the how narrow had been my escape. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always always that they were such commands as a lady might with liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I