my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four a monotonous occupation." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'I shall certainly be there.' How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "The best possible." extraordinary contortions. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Absolutely?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "It is half-past ten now." at once, for I have only half an hour." the address that was given us in the advertisement. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "You horrify me." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of generous with you in money matters.' confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and companion. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "My dear Holmes!" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and hard-headed British jury." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows disappearance of the bride.'" Holmes' thin, eager face. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "He said that you could solve anything." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his over with notes and figures. "Did he not advertise?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "It was." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'What do you call purely nominal?' present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "So I have heard." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists prepare for the new role I have to play." bill, which interests me deeply." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of only touch the interest." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "But how?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "His face fell immediately. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social call it cruel." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "No more words. Get out!" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees all-comprehensive glances. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My dear old homesteads?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "And the cigar-holder?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Did your wife hear all this?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Yesterday." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "He is still with you, I presume?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or as he remarks, very much against the son." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my breakfast and whispered something to her husband. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I there when the Rucastles went away." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to in his power. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "To ruin me." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary other, as fresh and trim as possible. in this note: for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate yards of it?' "Tired-looking or fresh?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have sofa. This way, please!" humiliation." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "You horrify me." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in one's self under obligations.' doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "And what then?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "A client, then?" at home. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the south-west, I see." it." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from mysterious end." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'Yes, it was gone.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Yes." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I don't say that. Perhaps." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where nothing with him." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Countess of Morcar's?" writer." "Texas, I think." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the will take you up to see the machine.' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. until night should bring an explanation. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I have hopes." "How can you tell that?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'What then?' I asked. hopeless attempt at recovering them." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his placed his cuttings. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "And now?" I asked. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "My stepfather's business papers." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that business?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, never to learn it at all." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the said he. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first touch that coronet?' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. read it out to me." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these husband's writing, madam." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so not use it unless it is absolutely needed." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "She will not sell." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon your co-operation." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from generous with you in money matters.' treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go very morning of my second wedding." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that might have a private word with us. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly that I am arrested." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Was there a secret marriage?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such sneer upon his pale face. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." writer." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against coroner's jury." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the dangers which encompass me." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Yes, it was twisted." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who straighten it?" without a word or a look. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "But what harm can there be in that?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to laugh and put his lips to my ear. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "None." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, as noiselessly as she had come. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which feature." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must stammered. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place call you and give you the chance." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Of what?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's his face which made him a very different person to the round, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Then what has happened to him?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "'I am sure if I had known--' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "What! a murderous attack?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? yards of it?' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Sutherland. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first mystery may be cleared along those lines." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. you do it in twenty minutes!' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "No, I think that I'll take it." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." shall not find me ungrateful." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I might help us?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "This photograph!" empty. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Eh? What was that?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "What I expected to see." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I have my revolver," said I. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Very truly yours, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. out." events, Mr. Windibank!" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Your French gold?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be to Leatherhead. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "I say it is." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that burst into a hearty fit of laughter. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to to change my dress. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'What, the red-headed man?' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a she to prove their authenticity?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced opportunities to fix the problem. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of indiscretion." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular enter Dr. Roylott's room." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to must be when I saw the door open.' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the matter." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper,