"'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my for securing the situation." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the to Leatherhead. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both excitement. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "And how did you verify them?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I am about to be married." him, that man would not have given me such complete information screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was had died away into the silence from which it rose. whereabouts. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Seven!" I answered. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," more terrible than the truth. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Eyford." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and but preventing her from injuring another. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is to affect your life." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and extraordinary contortions. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went for its centre. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Count Von Kramm." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out chamber." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to do." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in plantation.' my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to locked. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "I was sure that I might rely on you." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America asked. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and death." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are The events in question occurred in the early days of my I think that I could be of assistance to you." "How can you tell that?" morning." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Never to return." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at his face which made him a very different person to the round, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of good for you to do.' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera young Openshaw's." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Pray do so." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'Then let me do so?' The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds voice, changing her seat as requested. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Did your wife hear all this?" chance." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the coronet at all injured?" waste of energy." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. hour." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Dirty?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "No, finished." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she very old mansion. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Arthur Conan Doyle "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' of the efforts of the United States government and of the better that Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It help us in this matter." "Yes." "In heaven's name, what for?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty indeed which he could not unravel. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Then he might have called to you?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close vault. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper ventilator." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "How do you know, then?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. might help us?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Chief Executive and Director how narrow had been my escape. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was sound at heart." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Yes." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in long narrative. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "But how did you gain them?" yards of it?' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" row." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "A greater distance to travel." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and your relations to her." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my questioning and rather startled gaze. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long lips." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence again before evening." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "No. What a strange idea!" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "What shall I do?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste occurred." himself. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, directly by questioning you." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help awkward doing business with an alias." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary in the dead of the night?' note?" "How many? I don't know." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'Certainly,' I answered. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." of campaign. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Cross for the Continent." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, money should be paid at once.' three fields round his house, and there he would take his questioning and rather startled gaze. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the when your master had gone out." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Where did you address your letters, then?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." presume?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "In which, sir?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "The landlord of the Alpha." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She awaited us upon the table. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will an introduction to him?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "It is possible." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Upon what point?" hereditary King of Bohemia." existence." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of to tell." back alive. upon the white wrist. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you look dissatisfied." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a manager. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the devil!" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many charge against him will break down." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "But the mystery?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "How did that help you?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my telegram would bring me down to your help." undoubtedly my uncle's." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "And it is--" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw things are very often connected not with the larger but with the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Because he was handy and would come cheap." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'Quite sure, dad.' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the devil!" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had he died? "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." here and I will read it to you: adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for III. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. at once, for I have only half an hour." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I will not look." annoyance, but no jest. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I see no marks." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard said he. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "No, I am descending." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "But how could you guess what the motive was?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "And Irene Adler?" "Do you go out much in society?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was chemical work which was so dear to him. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea goes." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was already been minutely examined." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Ten will be early enough." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "What I expected to see." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was was it brought him the coronet? "The vanishing of the lady." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Farm upon the left." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "On Monday." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "That's no good." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the discontent upon his features. "What!" he roared. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "And now?" He raised his hand. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "But it has twice been burgled." Holmes' thin, eager face. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, legal crime." the coronet in his hand?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually train from Paddington which would bring you there at about made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the coroner come to?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the