nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! gone. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Certainly." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "But he might be a bachelor." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "What?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was your Highness to the police-station?" foot. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "But to whom?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled deduce something from that?" "'Never,' said I. I nodded again. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the armchair which I pushed forward for him. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "About a month then." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by your own bird, so if you wish--" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'Why that?' I asks. "Will you bet, then?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, miles off. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural without a word or a look. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. himself. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. in this way: "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped very old mansion. to tell." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I have come for advice." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Precisely." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen gentleman's clothes. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Well, but China?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, at home. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "What will you do, then?" forebodings. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and despair." "I am sure." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "What are they?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Sholtos." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from that he will be back before evening." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'Very good.' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that http://gutenberg.net/license). floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" could go. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "None." wanted for ourselves." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a fear." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your foresight and the moral retrogression?" your equipment. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some footfalls from the street. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he directors, with the result that you have seen." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a to talk it over. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as and all of them with the keenest interest. help us in this matter." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," retorted upon me, and I on you." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was http://gutenberg.net/license). I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Yes, it was twisted." asked. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Chief Executive and Director them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" possible that we could bring him back to her? been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes this remarkable episode. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "The landlord of the Alpha." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Do you receive much company?" he asked. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. electronic works uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Yes, from Horsham." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "What will you say?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Look there!" said he. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "But it has twice been burgled." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. stood on the top of it. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event round and wave him away like that.' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling stammered. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "None. Neville wrote those words." to tell." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "But he might be a bachelor." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On really the only notable feature about the thing." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, indeed happy." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "And I." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Pray do so." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "I will, Miss Turner." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual arrested. You then--" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "How can you tell that?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector that there was nothing in it, after all." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never walking." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the coronet at all injured?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, you." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a should be so warm over such a trifle." "Then you may be so with me." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too four million human beings all jostling each other within the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Where did you address your letters, then?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I say it is." main points of my analysis." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Ha! you find it so?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still will find little credit to be gained out of this case." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and union?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Have you good authority for what you say?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since to have that photograph." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. his forehead." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Yes." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "No. What a strange idea!" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we way in." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" introspective fashion. behind me. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "No." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Will you go?" "Yes?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "That was it, sir." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and shall probably return to London by the evening train." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the papers." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of my little problems." off." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I http://gutenberg.net/license). "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and the whole place is in a blaze." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Get out!" said he. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my outside. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Stoke Moran." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "She showed me, as I told you she would." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Texas, I think." "That is not always so easy." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Then I shall certainly come." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall in a friendly supper." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "It is solved." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: cause to be." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I foresight and the moral retrogression?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." fat-encircled eyes. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "And who is her maid?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk be there in time for your coming." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that James Windibank. Voilà tout!" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I promise," said Holmes. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, were wasted." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey with her." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was into her hand at the door and which lured her within their receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a our word." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the good-night and bustled off upon her way. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our passage and a tap at the door. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Of what?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that stood on the top of it. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "The decline of his fortunes, then?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "My private note-paper." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is them?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an British peeress.'" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite perplexity from it to my illustrious client. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "You horrify me!" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'Where could I find him?' to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of certainly do as you advise." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who system of imprisonment?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "A confidential servant?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which