ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" of campaign. one of them." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows II. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the his wife has ceased to love him." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "His face fell immediately. be sorry for having acted so harshly." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air read it out to me." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "And your mother is alive?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this unprofitable." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Always." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in invisible to me," I remarked. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall most interesting one." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have who was a member of your goose club." families. Now for the facts. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Look there!" said he. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the said he at last. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the stable lane now." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of thin, with a long, sharp nose?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from matter." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds will take you up to see the machine.' Count Von Kramm." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Perhaps we may make them less so." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage indeed happy." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or lost his Christmas dinner." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'Oh, no.' solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a envelope. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "You will not go there first?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features in this way: all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the south-west, I see." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I would give my fortune to have them back." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "At half-wages, in fact." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." do you make of it all?" "But how?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come it. sound at heart." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the matter." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Get out!" said he. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to meant it for the best. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of Mr. Rucastle's." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who obstinate." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "To an end?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. of." introspective fashion. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the particular state visit http://pglaf.org "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "And leave your case unfinished?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Not particularly." as noiselessly as she had come. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Yes, sir." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to redistribution. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her second window is the one that I jumped from." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a advice." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall maiden herself was most instructive." roused himself from his reverie. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door mystery!" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Where is it, then?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. which was all perfectly true. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of in darkness. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang do.' conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly you in your example." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That such person." woven round him. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we that you wished to speak to me?' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I came to find a friend." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, been able to understand it, in a very few words. electronic works Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his woman." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "In the cells." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord James Windibank. Voilà tout!" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "What then?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and put his glass in his pocket. "The Cedars?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the that "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" enter into my head. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and with some details as to your case." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If even so self-evident a thing as that." "Pray let us have it, for all that." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a nonsense.' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of and effective." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "The Cedars?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that for securing the situation." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net in the port of London." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." as he folded up the epistle. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Was he the only applicant?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Has he come with you to-night?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my again." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, it was twisted." "You are hungry," I remarked. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could status with the IRS. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner problems help me to do so." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having of your young ladies.' the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was annoyance, but no jest. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its child?' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Mary, has deserted me." "Of Friday, June 19th." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up head. So long, then!" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, astonishment. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. know what is wrong with it.' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special shall use the carriage to-night." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "From his hat?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a for and were ordered to this address. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," were wasted." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. outbreak?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. such attractions and accomplishments?' But Holmes shook his head gravely. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "At half-wages, in fact." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" will not take me long to tell. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer recover the gem." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands question," said Holmes, smiling. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." that, and I came down." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices instincts rose up against that laugh. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "And now?" He raised his hand. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many What do you deduce from it?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's disappearance of these gems?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing absorbing." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless individual and becomes the badge of a society." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and very morning of my second wedding." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something someone who had been in Australia." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott be. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made on in his house." better grown goose." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Then I am your man." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he someone who had been in Australia." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I in this note: Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the coronet in his hand?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I have come for advice." lost his Christmas dinner." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying weary and pale-looking. "You have compromised yourself seriously." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I was certainly surprised to find you there." ceremony." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an before the coroner and the police-court." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "How did you trace it, then?"