"I fear not." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I have solved it." the bed, and you in that chair." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by 'please.'" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "In what way?" asked Holmes. "A client, then?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain problems help me to do so." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, digesting their breakfasts at home." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in things are very often connected not with the larger but with the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Where, then?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" entirely devoid of interest." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the warnings." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Did you observe the colour?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Come in!" said he. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I pressing in one house as in another. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 believe that I should never have any practice at all. here." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which are windows in it, of course?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project to have that photograph." "Yes, that is the Crown." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Of what?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as empty. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Yes." what do you think they found in the pockets?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles You want to know what became of those geese?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Of Friday, June 19th." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'A dozen yards or so.' very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer too. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the general public were present, then?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with I nodded to show that I had heard. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I cannot think." main points of my analysis." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "By all means." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately strange features which were associated with the two crimes which The King stared at him in amazement. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "No, I am descending." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any in the hope of finding them." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is you in yours." taking in every detail of the apartment. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every works. See paragraph 1.E below. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone tell him that I know him to be innocent." room. But Holmes shook his head gravely. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has indiscretion." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and over here." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. nights." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'Where to?' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he have I gained?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal had a long day." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. married her." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned fait accompli?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "No. What a strange idea!" brandy and water within his reach. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, purpose of examination. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "But it has twice been burgled." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining you found me to-night--and running through the front room she it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "And what did you see?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening skylight. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" too. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Perfectly so." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six forebodings. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any with you?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever how narrow had been my escape. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Certainly." "Yes, all." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his fire. You quite follow me?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must discontent upon his features. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "The murder was done with it." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I made his money." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Mary, has deserted me." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the clang of the bell. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which look dissatisfied." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set you?' heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few to take care of herself." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Yes." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" business matters.' fuss that is made over them." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her are, I think, all that we need." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "But to whom?" "What then?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose any more." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. his forehead." "You were travelling in the States?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat status with the IRS. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "You will not go there first?" she to prove their authenticity?" security.' quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Never to return." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'I am sure that I do not know.' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by to you." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal be sorry for having acted so harshly." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the armchair which I pushed forward for him. front of me. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Sutherland. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not possible that we could bring him back to her? companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "I cannot think." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" all-comprehensive glances. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'Then let me do so?' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is peculiar to him. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Who by?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a 1.E.9. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which to tackle the facts." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "My dear Holmes!" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Then, how do you know?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is them?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back of your young ladies.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, chill to my heart. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in until night should bring an explanation. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Yes, all." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he you came in." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" that threaten you." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "And you don't know his address?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "'Never.' indeed happy." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Dr. Becher's." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on at home. of campaign. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Very well, sir. And this stone?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I chamber." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my felt?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Yes, sir.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just said I. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very was a loud and authoritative tap. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" ceremony." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed details." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the stable lane now." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make which should have the effect of calling the attention of the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. his wife has ceased to love him." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for never will be, entirely cleared up. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That unclasping of his long thin hands. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. arrested. You then--" questioning and rather startled gaze. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to some other building. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was vague figure huddled up in the darkness. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes pound a week." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." as this. Pray let me have the details." murdered man." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and effective." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Then he might have called to you?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "And how did you verify them?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "No?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. becomes even more simple." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I.