for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Never." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "What then?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our now. It seems that there had been some informality about their I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Witness: I must still refuse. weapon." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little tell them apart.' "'Entirely.' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. vault. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down them?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls ordinary clothes on?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler locked. "Then what has happened to him?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a address. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project sparkled upon his finger. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me a monotonous occupation." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'Certainly not. But why?' ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had like gravel from a pit.' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I have come for advice." "On your arm?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Stoke Moran." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "What! a murderous attack?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my him and tried to hold him back. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'Is 4 pounds a week.' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was mystery!" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers considering the formidable letters which were received by himself prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a what these perils are?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though light and attacked it." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'Where to?' practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is instincts rose up against that laugh. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in we went to search for him, face downward in a little which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had extraordinary contortions. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" go--none." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' http://www.gutenberg.net "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Holmes, the busybody!" infinite languor in his face. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper beyond words. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off in this note: "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left that I can to serve you." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking is worth.' where she found matters as described by the last witness. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them http://gutenberg.net/license). card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and the whole place is in a blaze." an introduction to him?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said reach." like gravel from a pit.' union?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Absolutely none." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should hard-headed British jury." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with hand, madam?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "It is a murder, then?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise someone who had been in Australia." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the of a light. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me morning." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "And your mother is alive?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Henry Baker is a member." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning meant it for the best. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you anything to do with the matter?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce an introduction to him?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." late!' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Here?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "And Irene Adler?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the one as in the other." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Then you may be so with me." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'Quite sure, dad.' as he folded up the epistle. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we The events in question occurred in the early days of my "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in on in his house." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; this man was intellectual?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone carried out of court." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, are windows in it, of course?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Witness: It was. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "And for present expenses?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Yes." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" writers could invent nothing more crude." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the loss of it. "Perhaps I have." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of to some other building. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Precisely." about here speaks of his kindness to him." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Nearly eleven." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I cannot tell." "It is possible." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "She will not sell." "I guessed as much." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these do." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Where to?" direction." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be unkempt, staring out at me. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The heavy and sharp instrument." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I do." over with notes and figures. the one as in the other." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Yes, he did." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "'Which dealer's?' than to us. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that he. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he had a long day." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Count Von Kramm." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say happened." "No bad?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Not yet." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it derbies." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. is a common subject for conversation. hour?' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid legal crime." "At the wedding breakfast." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still tell them apart.' is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I have come for advice." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked because she had spent so short a time in this country that she my secret was safe in his possession. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, taking in every detail of the apartment. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. hair?' cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban already been minutely examined." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in me what he had done with the three missing stones. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the matter." "And I say east," said my patient. rose-bushes. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, chemical work which was so dear to him. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I some water from a caraffe. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to note?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my like gravel from a pit.' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "That is it on the dressing-table." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "It is no ordinary one." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "But to whom?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "What is it?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It guilty one." once more. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Where, then, is my wife?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. wedding?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square introspective fashion. the salesman. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to returned to France?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue right! Sit down and let us talk it over." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left details should find their way into the papers. Inspector I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "You have compromised yourself seriously." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "This concluded the examination of the witness." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is bled considerably." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Two days later this same performance was gone through under of receipt of the work. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite assist you in forming an opinion." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work,"