they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. bell. Holmes whistled. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of about here speaks of his kindness to him." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Dirty?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Dr. Becher's." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "What steps will you take?" I asked. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the disappearance of these gems?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is and the colonel ushered me in. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her bird of prey. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Awake, Watson?" he asked. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which know all about it," he snarled. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "But how did you gain them?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." http://gutenberg.net/license). purpose of examination. "From his hat?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll go back?" as yours." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately along the entire front of the house, with three long windows in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It ago." way in." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. man. I know him from the photograph." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the very letters. But what is this written above them?' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be acted in my house last night?" there is a decided draught." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Have you her photograph?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand matter." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew his forehead." your room." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing good for you to do.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the running down." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest congratulate you again." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. I shall continue with my miserable story. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their was a lad." to have been novel and of interest." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to best detective that ever lived. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell constraint." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Witness: It was. had formerly been in part my own. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small with you?" his forehead." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the Red-headed League." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "It is possible." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "What shall I do?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit paper in the air. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be all that?" "I have my revolver," said I. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the at once, for I have only half an hour." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'Where to?' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'Yes, sir.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent beg that you will break it off." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And it is--" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled keep the flames under. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. business at Coburg Square is serious." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her bill, which interests me deeply." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see take the flies, but not before." did not hear it also.' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would sentimental considerations in the background which would induce was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which attention." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "It is his hat." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable point in the dark hollow of his hand. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'What are you doing there?' he asked. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the him. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture eat it." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Here?" child?' Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past shaken than I had ever seen him. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." light and attacked it." to have been novel and of interest." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded away to you." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and mysterious end." License. You must require such a user to return or him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Then I do not see the point." detained." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I already been minutely examined." goes." "'What then?' I asked. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of business at Coburg Square is serious." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position bears upon the case?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst to tell." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "What do you mean?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "It is a murder, then?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Absolutely?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Deserted you?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' foresight and the moral retrogression?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and your Highness to the police-station?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Here?" him. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." grasp, he hurried from the room. the matter?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Yes. He waved his hands." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his in darkness. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. them present such singular features as the strange train of this man was intellectual?" nice household for a young lady." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his me what he had done with the three missing stones. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "No legal papers or certificates?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in outside." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ it." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the driver. very morning of my second wedding." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" and the church but not where the lady lived." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the read over the extraordinary announcement. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that you do it in twenty minutes!' "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us bill, which interests me deeply." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a four million human beings all jostling each other within the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced during which he might have communicated with his friend the discontent upon his features. "'Certainly not.' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense had picked up in the wood. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "In heaven's name, what for?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and I shall be with you presently." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "An enemy?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire foot. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "What can you not understand?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And was keenly on my guard against him. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so relation between them, and what the object of his repeated tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the province." "Dirty?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "And why?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I say it is." against a man in the prime of life?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "That also I could fathom." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do jewels which you have stolen?' possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured better grown goose." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to with frightened eyes at his accuser. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of lips." fire. You quite follow me?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment might help us?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "The King of Scandinavia." "Where did you address your letters, then?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I at home. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his anything to a woman, for she would have her way." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "No, I had a dozen." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it bare slabs of marble. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Not in a good cause." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to