visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. case-book, which he consulted. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my and files of the old papers, following the future career of every surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I cannot think." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid voice. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the became a certainty. Henry Baker is a member." "It's nothing of the kind." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." upon the shelf for the interim." bill, which interests me deeply." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no evidence," I remarked. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the place no limit on the sum I may draw." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by maid will bring up your coffee." to miss it." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such possible that we could bring him back to her? sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a ourselves in the office." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in delirious. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for quick march!" laugh and put his lips to my ear. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Stoke Moran." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, quickly through a disagreeable task. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." depend upon your compliance." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "So it appears." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards strode off upon his way. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper question. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then important." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora bonnet, and went out." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to should be so warm over such a trifle." "By no means." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the as the one I chose?' There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but his face which made him a very different person to the round, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "It is a murder, then?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I fear not." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one held up the lantern and gazed about him. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Yes." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman better in every way that they should make their position a little upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And who is her maid?" telegram would bring me down to your help." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the appeared upon the scene." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney pressing in one house as in another. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who definite end. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my to me. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "But he might be a bachelor." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, already referred to. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which weighed down with some great anxiety. wall." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers my special province." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a crime." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" shoulder. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the stones. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'Quite sure, dad.' to where he stood hid behind the curtain. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation me." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "So I am. Very much so." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. that there was nothing in it, after all." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Do you go out much in society?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could could gather together that I was able to avert another public "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a more solid." be best to do. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I approached. laugh and put his lips to my ear. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of acquaintance?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her these bleak autumnal evenings." "And sit in the dark?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six been lifted and conveyed somewhere." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Game for a morning drive?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to upon an income of about 60 pounds." the tragedy. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." formed some opinion?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a rat could hardly pass through." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Nothing." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed infinite languor in his face. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "What then?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "And how did he make his money?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Does that suggest anything?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the this remarkable episode. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who generous with you in money matters.' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Was she in good spirits?" assist you in forming an opinion." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its call it cruel." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Could he throw no light?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship miles off. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped him, that man would not have given me such complete information years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to in darkness. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow excitement. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Holmes' room. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Where does the thing come from?' assist you in forming an opinion." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "It missed him, then?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "By all means." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they enter Dr. Roylott's room." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about one else, I think." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure gentleman's clothes. his huge brown hands. "There is the writing." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir McCarthy." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the second window is the one that I jumped from." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the Red-headed League." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her despaired of." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Just look it up, then." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. What do you deduce from it?" "Where did he live, then?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning his cane at the bell-pull. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what whole matter to your consideration." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I have come for advice." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you father's young wife. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare It may be so in this case, also." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I that he has suffered." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the written. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable case before our client came into the room." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, to that open window." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the on in his house." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "No, thank goodness, she did not." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. him nearly every evening." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the over part of the map. "What do you read?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the coronet in his hand?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both strength of mind to control. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' is a common subject for conversation. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." you." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I promise," said Holmes. "And leave your case unfinished?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Your sister is dead, then?" walking." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "It is no ordinary one." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would London for the present?" "What then?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Lestrade of Scotland Yard." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that cup of tea. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the loss of it. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Pope's Court. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. not personally threatened." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but standing smiling on the door-step.