material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Pray continue your narrative." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "And why in hopes?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the station." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards conceal it?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Gutenberg-tm License. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "And on what day did he meet his death?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Arthur Conan Doyle a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check used to be." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" exactly what you advise." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I whatever might befall. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Yes." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. I approached. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do What do you deduce from it?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be would then never go into court at all." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Certainly, madam." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the stood on the top of it. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. one else, I think." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with comes from the middle window." "I promise," said Holmes. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Then you may entirely rely on me." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of matter." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." have accepted such a situation. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" to change my dress. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, place of silver." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to must be when I saw the door open.' find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, pressing in one house as in another. ordinary clothes on?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock strange features which were associated with the two crimes which between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly paper in the air. know all about it," he snarled. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "And now?" I asked. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "They are typewritten," I remarked. remarked. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." my little problems." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "None. Neville wrote those words." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from she slowly sank and died without having recovered her card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so whereabouts. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Who by?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed any more." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "But his lameness?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Then, as to money?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's unprecedented a position." forehead. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that one's self under obligations.' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the events than those which have happened in my own family." cigar and let me expound." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the hour?' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "But she could not love him." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the foot. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, questioning and rather startled gaze. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless main points of my analysis." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "On the contrary, this is the right side." careless servant girl?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy you." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in place, I think that there is good ground to think that the closing the door. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), started for the Temple to see my husband. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any is acting for the best. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and know all about it," he snarled. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "My photograph." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of friends, not even his own brother. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian fish-monger and a tide-waiter." lamp. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Dr. Gregory B. Newby stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Ah, but I was recommended to you." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal flock.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed have an American origin." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the stable lane now." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was within hail.' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in into the bag, and made for the door. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily way in." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was showing my impatience. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a pressing in one house as in another. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Yes. He waved his hands." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "You have but to name it." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock thirty. "How often?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Very well, sir. And this stone?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "No more words. Get out!" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "'A dozen yards or so.' solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William child?' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Only as much as we can deduce." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress said he. and the church but not where the lady lived." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for http://www.gutenberg.net see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "You saw the ventilator, too?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Here?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I strong reason behind." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of strength of mind to control. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. on in his house." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in outbreak?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." beyond words. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was know all about it," he snarled. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would be best to do. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss clang of the bell. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" new duties?' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able indiscretion." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is him!" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and at my remark. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "'Yes.' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Pray continue your narrative." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle as he folded up the epistle. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes I shall continue with my miserable story. him. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "This photograph!" "That sounds a little paradoxical." my former friend and companion. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Mary, has deserted me." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry never will be, entirely cleared up. nonsense.' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" to-night." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting stepfather?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between answered with a sidelong glance. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the views." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "But I am all in the dark." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature signal between you and your father? known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Deserted you?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "He slept on the premises." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Perhaps I have." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to case before our client came into the room." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'Yes, it was gone.' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'Never.' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and is acting for the best. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and past. matter." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "You think so, too?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is before the coroner and the police-court." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "In San Francisco, a year ago." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Yes." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "How often?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The out." "9th. McCauley cleared. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "That sounds a little paradoxical." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. begun to whiten, even as mine has."