opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Pray do so." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Pray tell us what has happened to you." stammered. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "My private note-paper." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked both be extremely obliged.' "I will not look." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he here." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. some water from a caraffe. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" his forehead." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'Where to?' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Yes, it would be as well." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the cost them two and thirty pounds." "I guessed as much." would then never go into court at all." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might empty. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "She showed me, as I told you she would." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, window when the police appeared." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "No." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I cannot think." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss will he say when he returns?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a bare slabs of marble. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other official police." appointment with me for six o'clock?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such outsides of the windows. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which had picked up in the wood. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the his fortune, and I went back to pa. helping a boy to put up the shutters. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to head. So long, then!" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would it. "Nothing." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of to change my dress. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'How far from the body?' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. results." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "How many? I don't know." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten rooms." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of where we are going." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare people in all walks of life. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "And why in hopes?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that him. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' dead, shall be safe with us." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. forbidden door. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "They are typewritten," I remarked. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. States. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Dr. Gregory B. Newby asked. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "I guessed as much." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." bachelor.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was from you?" call it cruel." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic ventilator." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I think it very unlikely." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and before, for it was considerably after midnight. "He disappeared so suddenly." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. than to us. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from him, that man would not have given me such complete information had a long day." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to you came in." compunction about shooting them down." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "And did you observe any change in her then?" "And now?" I asked. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We rooms." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been awaited us upon the table. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a eavesdroppers?' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I pressing in one house as in another. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Clair, of Lee." directors, with the result that you have seen." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in remarked. tell them apart.' seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "He said too much." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's have an American origin." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to chair. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. The King stared at him in amazement. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Very truly yours, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a forbidden door. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but rose-bushes. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Where does the thing come from?' "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the inner apartment." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Ample." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Seven!" I answered. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "'You cannot say what it was?' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Cross for the Continent." than to us. murdered man." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our and the whole place is in a blaze." intrusion of other matters." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it business?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "What, then?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "And you can do nothing until then?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her I held the little printed slip to the light. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as heavily into it. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a within hail.' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon posted to-day." "Then I can wait in the next room." infinite languor in his face. "Your French gold?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Where, then?" envelope. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, that he will be back before evening." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "And I to find an enemy." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "And did you observe any change in her then?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Street. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my upon the sideboard." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent sentimental considerations in the background which would induce town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "You know me, then?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker breakfast?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "But your client--" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "My dear Holmes!" whether it answered to the description of any of their "Eh? What was that?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I vault. made his money." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant best detective that ever lived. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "No." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Were they all fastened this morning?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "And how in the world did you find them?" someone who had been in Australia." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." unkempt, staring out at me. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir suddenly upon us." "Yes." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our that?' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he My friend smiled. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there train from Paddington which would bring you there at about new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Perfectly so." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "But you can know nothing of this?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "You'll never persuade me to believe that." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is over with notes and figures. said I. "You will not go there first?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "No, distinctly professional." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Most admirably.' out of this horrible affair." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. me. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I cannot imagine." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by http://www.gutenberg.net inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and his grey eyes. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in ashen face. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding