dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her any little problem which you may submit to me." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I to a more successful conclusion." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it be there in time for your coming." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him is now desirous of getting those letters back." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest to-night?' learned something! Where are the gems?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a before, for it was considerably after midnight. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said which was all perfectly true. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending off." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of later, upon the night of May 2nd." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. is acting for the best. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "What do you make of that, Watson?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "It is his hat." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "From his hat?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this people in all walks of life. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, several quiet little villages up there." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able seen the man in the road." "'Yes, it was gone.' "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven is worth.' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "My last client of the sort was a king." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few think that any burglar could have done. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "You know me, then?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, pierced for earrings?" in my life." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Foundation colonel looking down at me. call you and give you the chance." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little comes from the middle window." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an meant." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, have accepted such a situation. "Frequently." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet o'clock is it?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be business." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about to change my dress. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, answered with a sidelong glance. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, tapping his fingers upon the table. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you that he has suffered." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "He said too much." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Absolutely none." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where observed. these bleak autumnal evenings." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without your only hope of safety." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my bears upon the case?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and conduct the inquiry." This is what he says: ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle about here speaks of his kindness to him." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from situation." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew once more. constraint." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind certainly not very gracious." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'There is a drive, then?' own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, have I gained?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. returning from some small jollification and was making his way tell them apart.' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the as yours." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. papers on the sundial.'" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I shall most certainly do so." introspective fashion. "But his left-handedness." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Eyford at 11:15.' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case know that the truth is known." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, as this. Pray let me have the details." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass until night should bring an explanation. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "What steps will you take?" I asked. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw his face which made him a very different person to the round, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, matter over." letters?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the Friday. Was it to be in church?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you joking. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I see many objections to any such theory." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Eyford." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Stoke Moran?" said he. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to know all about it," he snarled. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' you want, then?' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, garden below. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'I have heard so.' Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I of your young ladies.' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the unclasping of his long thin hands. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His really the only notable feature about the thing." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could what is your own theory as to what took place?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of business matters.' fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there if she died from some sudden fright." His name is Francis Prosper." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone may have an influence upon European history." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. must be when I saw the door open.' Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and in. grasp, he hurried from the room. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be carried out of court." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of This is what he says: adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by begin with, and I had not got mine yet." already been minutely examined." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'And what are they worth?' I asked. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "The rest you will leave in our hands." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the Friday. Was it to be in church?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Sholtos." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, observed. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and disappearance of these gems?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "This concluded the examination of the witness." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "What have you to say now?" Eyford at 11:15.' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton been with you?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." delirious. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so such attractions and accomplishments?' wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation not use it unless it is absolutely needed." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up himself in a perplexing position. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied of note-paper. It read in this fashion: him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "You saw the ventilator, too?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'I shall certainly be there.' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that peculiar to him. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 kindly on the shoulder. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I came to find a friend." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind it with his own hands." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing to tackle the facts." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she investigation." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "And for present expenses?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his relation between them, and what the object of his repeated quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "The doctor?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "You have the photograph?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "You horrify me." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. gentleman's clothes. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Sutherland. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are official police." "BALLARAT." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of hour?' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a face and glided from the room. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "And what then?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in so far?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It must be recovered." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us with you?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I not within a twentieth part of the market price." are, I think, all that we need." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had