as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his points to suicide?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "And I." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that of." "I will get her to show me." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when pressing in one house as in another. "'How far from the body?' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I am to be neutral?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "What then?" see a sister of mine apply for." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and towards the blaze. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single of them has the shutters up.' treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in must compliment you." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part answer." jewels which you have stolen?' strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was hardly wander." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes done what I asked you, Jones?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, ran thus: "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Stolen." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we always that they were such commands as a lady might with like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "You have carte blanche." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself other, as fresh and trim as possible. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the beg that you will break it off." might help us?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "The Cedars?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these joking. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Who was the criminal, then?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. lumber-room." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and the colonel ushered me in. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project meant." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I should be immensely obliged to you." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "And I to find an enemy." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I kindly on the shoulder. "Certainly." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." him." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the dangers which encompass me." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a than to us. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A nice household for a young lady." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon instincts rose up against that laugh. peculiar to him. "What office?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a congenial hunt. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, come either from the window or the door. My attention was as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I will do it." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is only touch the interest." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and galvanised. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "The doctor?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down him, that man would not have given me such complete information He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the inner apartment." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. footfalls from the street. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have to go into your room and bar your shutters?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the felt the room to be a little close.' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I will try. What is it?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Always." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the warnings." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I answered that I had not. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," mystery!" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as fluttered off among the others. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so she slowly sank and died without having recovered her no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. to change my dress. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "That is unusual in a young girl." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar returned to France?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "At half-wages, in fact." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to chance at all." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. sooner or later she must fall a victim. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'And the work?' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "And you don't know his address?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Stolen." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "How are you getting on?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the own family. formed some opinion?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father soul! here is her carriage at the door." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been me. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the room while you explain this matter?" "My dear Holmes!" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Where did you address your letters, then?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' in one or two places in England?' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" wife's character?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would absorbing." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see wedding?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of fact, we may call it conclusive." "'Yes.' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "And what did you see?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old tell them apart.' though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I beg pardon." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." man. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "I cannot imagine." pound a week." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have along the entire front of the house, with three long windows lamp in his hand. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left national property. I was determined that the law should have its man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Not in the least." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely disappearance of these gems?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which come either from the window or the door. My attention was Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now happened." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It she to prove their authenticity?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "No sign of it?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple face and glided from the room. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I am sure." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy residence of the great financier. asked with his eyes open. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Certainly." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, have not had my rubber." his forehead." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Does that suggest anything?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "In which, sir?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Did he not advertise?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," 'I should be able to look after that for you.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat she might be summoned. cigars in the box." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the relief. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his of a light. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat opened the door, and slipped through. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy results." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "My dear Holmes!" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered shall use the carriage to-night." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled paper in the air. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the that you can jump it.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "In the cells." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case sooner or later she must fall a victim. you." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny of his shoulders. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his politicians who had been sent down from the North. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news to-morrow." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the prisoner's face. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so