is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "To ruin me." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "If I can be of use." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." learned something! Where are the gems?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "But who is he?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Then, how do you know?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you window when the police appeared." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in fishes. question. "And from a noble client?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the best of training." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then guilty one." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Thank you. And your address?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the date of his supposed suicide." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "The Cedars?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Pray do so." as yours." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, this man was intellectual?" "'Certainly not. But why?' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Not him." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong in this way: and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of eavesdroppers?' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you must compliment you." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, maiden herself was most instructive." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Certainly, madam." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "What is it, then--a fire?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is like that before?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "You know me, then?" "How did you deduce the select?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the bed, and you in that chair." interests were the same as his." outside." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish man. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the and no precautions can guard against." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, criminal. We have already had experience of such." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the room while you explain this matter?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." unprecedented a position." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side The telegram which we eventually received came late one night As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "My opinion is in no way altered." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the directly by questioning you." astonishment. "What I expected to see." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a crime." father's young wife. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See placed his cuttings. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that into her hand at the door and which lured her within their quite distinctive." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the running down." "She walked into the breakfast-room." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, whole matter to your consideration." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder DAMAGE. manager. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want information in his hands the value of which he did not himself is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it for the market.' almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming breakfast and whispered something to her husband. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "My stepfather's business papers." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the forebodings. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "You think that he is dead?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain business." me." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "What then?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us I held the little printed slip to the light. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he towards the blaze. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he fashion which was peculiar to him. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever memory. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. my secret was safe in his possession. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, or in danger--" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to with you alone." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and that?' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding ago." "The Coroner: What do you mean? "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Yes, it was twisted." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I fear." foot. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy suddenly upon us." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "At half-wages, in fact." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So highly," said Holmes. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or at a side door. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I am about to be married." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great pound a week." obstinate." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project purpose of examination. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he chill to my heart. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most chill to my heart. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." up this clue while it is still hot." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There breakfast and whispered something to her husband. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "How on earth--" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Then you may be so with me." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point call it cruel." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the his eyes and forehead. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. with you alone." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Oh, yes, easily." even so self-evident a thing as that." into the room. "Nothing." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I have hopes." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual This is what he says: new acquaintance to Baker Street. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the night.' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "It certainly sounds feasible." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the side-table." second window is the one that I jumped from." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "And you thought he was pulled back?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need that threaten you." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "But what is it you wish?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, my special province." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' breakfast." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "They are typewritten," I remarked. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." fat-encircled eyes. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson way in everything. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "My private note-paper." "But not more so than I to find you." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and putting in the horse. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "What is it, then--a fire?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "So I heard. You have him here?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Watson," he said cordially. ceremony." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and shall probably return to London by the evening train." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Then I shall certainly come." round with crates and massive boxes. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I ventilator." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "That sounds a little paradoxical." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "It is to him that this trophy belongs." better in every way that they should make their position a little "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Watson," he said cordially. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' purpose equally well?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I posted to-day."