as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the writer." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Yes, it would be as well." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat considering the formidable letters which were received by himself there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I mysterious business." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which hour." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible James Windibank. Voilà tout!" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Countess of Morcar's?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the is so. I know all about McCarthy." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can that I can to serve you." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "He said that you could solve anything." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, would then never go into court at all." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring I nodded again. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" again on its way. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "'Where could I find him?' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Why, what do you mean?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Thank you. And your address?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. chance at all." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no true." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of works. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his comes from the middle window." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "What will you do, then?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my for and were ordered to this address. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I interests were the same as his." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third recover the gem." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? crackling voice. "I guessed as much." breakfast." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman fait accompli?" his knees, staring into the fire. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a conclusions. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner minor matters until to-morrow." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in door?" "To ruin me." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a not personally threatened." washing it down with a long draught of water. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Perfectly so." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring and effective." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "He said too much." "Pray let us have it, for all that." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must where we are going." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst presume?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a if only as a check to my own memory." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Project Gutenberg-tm works. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of something of him before." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Tired-looking or fresh?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I one else, I think." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements have accepted such a situation. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that child?' "That is possible." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Yes, I have one waiting." me have 200 pounds?' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot strong reason behind." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have is entirely a question of barometric pressure." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of receipt of the work. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Where does the thing come from?' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. help us in this matter." here and I will read it to you: starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought have got?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Then the page we have seen--" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, what these perils are?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Yes, but only for you and me." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three that you saw all that I did." lamp in his hand. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without details should find their way into the papers. Inspector row." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the sparkled upon his finger. "Yes." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "My stepfather's business papers." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the hour." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps outside. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all wanted for ourselves." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: certainly do as you advise." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "And how did you verify them?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I came to find a friend." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the know that the truth is known." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two not fit the lock." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so populous neighbourhood." shoulder; "he's all right." discontent upon his features. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged not personally threatened." families. Now for the facts. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man said he. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no knowledge of the world." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, The summons was a brief and urgent one. strength in the others." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I for its centre. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged I nodded to show that I had heard. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'Certainly,' I answered. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Of what?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "How can you tell that?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the them present such singular features as the strange train of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" them?" ago." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat events than those which have happened in my own family." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'And the work?' held up the lantern and gazed about him. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a becomes even more simple." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler this Miss Turner." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying It was close upon four before the door opened, and a appointment with me for six o'clock?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him hereditary King of Bohemia." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible obstinate." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden with her." his fortune, and I went back to pa. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Won't it ring?" "In the cells." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which them?" his face. would then never go into court at all." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Where, indeed?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came if she died from some sudden fright." "I have hopes." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be ceremony." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "From his hat?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant tell them apart.' "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every papers must be those that are destroyed.' If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the records." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both License. You must require such a user to return or It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to three of the beryls in it, was missing. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to golden eyeglasses. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a any." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I cannot tell." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an what I may call a really hard day's work." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as asked with his eyes open. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "That is unusual in a young girl." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said husband's writing, madam." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman place, I think that there is good ground to think that the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, him and tried to hold him back. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the handed it to him. "Yes, but only for you and me." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Very truly yours, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." rose-bushes. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old pressing in one house as in another. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, villagers almost as much as their master. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only overpowering excitement and concern. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "So I have heard." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so