occurred." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Ample." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "What then?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Henry Baker is a member." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such burst out into a roar of laughter. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Then, as to money?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. hour." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to change my dress. "Very much so." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I just ask you whether you had heard it.' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police third from London." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, was already answered. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "And the cigar-holder?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "That you are never beaten." which are rolled in Rotterdam." lamp in his hand. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest me. You must get home instantly and act." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Clair, of Lee." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further shoulder; "he's all right." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "That's no good." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the night.' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter more terrible than the truth. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "No." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words mystery." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have visitors." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well better grown goose." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "There are none." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an coroner's jury." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was better in every way that they should make their position a little George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress awaited us upon the table. you for a few hours?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "But how did you gain them?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "And from a noble client?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those distance from the station, and there we found the young lady friend's singular character. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Holmes' thin, eager face. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his like gravel from a pit.' Sutherland. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We house for five minutes.' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what written, and locked the door of the office after me. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "And how did you find out?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I I held the little printed slip to the light. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he colour had been driven from his face. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with late!' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips John Swain, of St. Augustine. one of them." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the read it out to me." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "The Cedars?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings there were one or two details which were new to me. But the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I will do it." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the coronet in his hand?" the loss of it. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten records." miles off. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear appeal." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself his knees, staring into the fire. "Yes." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "He disappeared so suddenly." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I see many objections to any such theory." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet it." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he chill to my heart. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Heh?' instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose opened the door, and slipped through. Literary Archive Foundation "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "And why?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or them present such singular features as the strange train of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself may have an influence upon European history." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and might have a private word with us. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Well, some hundreds of times." should be taken.' given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Yes, at the mines." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out again." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Lee, in the county of Kent." them?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Street. advice." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the morning and make my own way in the world.' was a loud and authoritative tap. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "But I am all in the dark." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece his face which made him a very different person to the round, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "'I am sure if I had known--' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to-night?' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It of a light. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Quite so." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Who was the criminal, then?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he he. and it need not interfere very much with one's other That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "The gentleman I describe." "At half-wages, in fact." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter villagers almost as much as their master. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Not yet." Henry Baker is a member." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of during that time.' "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress 1.E.9. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' envelope. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a could not have written that. It is the German who is so so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "No more words. Get out!" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'Yes, it was gone.' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet indeed happy." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back province." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the driver. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must I was concerned in it." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I am sure." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "What steps will you take?" I asked. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "And the murderer?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, just ask you whether you had heard it.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "That's no good." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the morning." certainly not very gracious." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should again, where I was soon asleep. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there voice, changing her seat as requested. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average examination of the premises, but without finding anything which dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the noble correspondent could be. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and photograph?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I of your young ladies.' "But what is it you wish?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Again Holmes raved in the air. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil that he will be back before evening." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case again." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." before, for it was considerably after midnight. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "And you can do nothing until then?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think with you alone." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money useful material for showing traces. The double line a little week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. that you wished to speak to me?' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees dramatic, in fact." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of dramatic, in fact." do.' him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet papers." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for recover the gem." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "No sign of it?" mystery." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the coronet in his hands?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It of it with the greatest attention. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Entirely." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly entirely lost his self-respect." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away knowledge of the world." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell bearing upon the case." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered.