key turn in the lock." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you there were so many in the whole country as were brought together of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his believe that I should never have any practice at all. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. this as likely?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a where we are going." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "How can you tell that?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would in my life." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so mysterious business." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "And what did you see?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." people in all walks of life. congratulate you again." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Well, some hundreds of times." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "My photograph." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Nearly eleven." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Gutenberg-tm License. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning nonsense.' more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Literary Archive Foundation "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the morning." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress you." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection man. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Really! You surprise me." the address that was given us in the advertisement. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those hard-headed British jury." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making so far?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her hurried by. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal when you have done it." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there for securing the situation." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and as the one I chose?' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Why? What do you mean?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the throat." respectable self." "Then I shall certainly come." "Then I shall certainly come." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding or other trace. But how on earth--" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I will, Miss Turner." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Foundation I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "And Irene Adler?" ago." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "This concluded the examination of the witness." six. Come in!" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the side-table." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, of them has the shutters up.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Yes, at the mines." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the hopeless attempt at recovering them." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked fled together." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the devil!" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "The doctor?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers ago." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, My friend smiled. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "My dear Holmes!" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'Which dealer's?' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. chill to my heart. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold there." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was in the dead of the night?' XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Indeed! Whose, then?" started for the Temple to see my husband. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to are, I think, all that we need." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all developed." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to this remarkable episode. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "But she could not love him." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "It was an hour's good drive." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. drawing your inferences." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'Certainly not.' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "The Cedars?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is detained." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which giving me time to thank him. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or my friend's incisive reasoning. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "And your father? Did you tell him?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. and the whole place is in a blaze." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, voice. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this companion. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent since then to throw any light upon what became of him." so.' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to chair. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for towards the blaze. spark where all is dark to me." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house matter over." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "It is no ordinary one." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "But how did you gain them?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'Ample.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Pope's Court. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "A client, then?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Where to?' is a common subject for conversation. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate hand, madam?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." beyond words. his knees, staring into the fire. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard to me. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular directly by questioning you." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried but preventing her from injuring another. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "No." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and his face. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have to change my dress. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons fishes. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Certainly, madam." "I cannot tell." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a burst out into a roar of laughter. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a as the one I chose?' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief that he has suffered." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came you." the best of training." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as will take you up to see the machine.' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear I shall continue with my miserable story. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might papers on the sundial.'" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads side. himself to hunt down. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect problems help me to do so." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between completely overtopped every other consideration that we both chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to chamber." straighten it?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'I shall certainly be there.' he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand drawing your inferences." "And I to find an enemy." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to clang of the bell. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, you." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "And why?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which matter." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' had no one to advise her at such a crisis." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "I promise," said Holmes. you?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "But I am all in the dark." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the very letters. But what is this written above them?' unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his some place of shelter and let the county police know what has said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "You have but to name it." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Absolutely?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "What will you do, then?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "May I see it?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "And it is--" round with crates and massive boxes. comes from the middle window." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Never." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three had died away into the silence from which it rose. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Lee, in the county of Kent." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get have an American origin." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon breakfast." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the