errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate least a most suspicious remark." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not more terrible than the truth. "I think it very unlikely." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards meant it for the best. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "You were travelling in the States?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." father's young wife. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "You have carte blanche." him nearly every evening." "That sounds a little paradoxical." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Leave Paddington by the 11:15." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "At the wedding breakfast." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "What are they?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Why did you beat the pavement?" has little to do with my story." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they desk. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There himself in a perplexing position. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'Ample.' The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in conversation I have gathered that they have been married about of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come public press." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to promised to bring home. carriage. It was a chestnut." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Yes, there are nearly always some there." some water from a caraffe. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence which are rolled in Rotterdam." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It writer." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "In what way?" asked Holmes. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over respectable self." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I it." "And Miss Sutherland?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event in the dead of the night?' to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to spark where all is dark to me." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on in the hope of finding them." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a way in." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Why did you beat the pavement?" developed." the room while you explain this matter?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, that I am arrested." "'I have already given you my word.' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and shall use the carriage to-night." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural row." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" later, upon the night of May 2nd." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, but preventing her from injuring another. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "This concluded the examination of the witness." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Cross for the Continent." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "I have seen the police." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "The landlord of the Alpha." "And sit in the dark?" nothing with him." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out had no one to advise her at such a crisis." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own floor. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. his knees, staring into the fire. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Yes." this remarkable episode. fluttered off among the others. "'Ample.' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your comes from the middle window." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the young Openshaw's." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." better grown goose." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "It missed him, then?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Yes, sir." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. is so. I know all about McCarthy." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the morning and make my own way in the world.' asked. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and shall probably return to London by the evening train." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that himself in a perplexing position. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Perfectly so." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the window, rose as we entered. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and have this put in the evening papers." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'I shall certainly be there.' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "9th. McCauley cleared. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, tightly behind him. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one she has been waylaid. There has been no result." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Whose house is it?" affair. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Well, it is a possible supposition." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I was mad--insane." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Cross for the Continent." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. his knees, staring into the fire. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and was keenly on my guard against him. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to door?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were him. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a crime. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had bedroom door." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is interests were the same as his." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it flock.' "This concluded the examination of the witness." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. few hundred pounds.' possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their upon the shelf for the interim." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my frequently gained my first real insight into the character of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in feature." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Yes. He waved his hands." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few more solid." "No, I am descending." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our conceal it?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Yes, that is the Crown." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, flock.' old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "When did it break out?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it future lives." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, was a loud and authoritative tap. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "By all means." fuss that is made over them." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the foot. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining hardly wander." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon pity, because in other respects you would really have done very past. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be use an arc-and-compass breastpin." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Won't it ring?" one which it was hard to resist. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'What then?' I asked. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "What!" he roared. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Here?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. to talk it over. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "ARAT," I read. "An enemy?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "I will get her to show me." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the clang of the bell. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my grasp, he hurried from the room. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "No. His orders were to stay in the house." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "No, I am descending." have an American origin." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard woman who has had her own way to make in the world. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's It was close upon four before the door opened, and a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all,