"I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "The Cedars?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended flock.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "And your mother is alive?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best what is your own theory as to what took place?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at McCarthy." for its centre. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's them, and came down just as you departed. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your passage and a tap at the door. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but for the market.' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to bedroom door." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "9th. McCauley cleared. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. she used." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I will get her to show me." forecastle of an emigrant ship. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Oh, yes, easily." anything to do with the matter?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of ago." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. newspaper selections." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of note-paper. It read in this fashion: so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to so.' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with arrangements." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "No legal papers or certificates?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "No legal papers or certificates?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he me upon any point which I do not make clear." events than those which have happened in my own family." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Yes." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'There is a drive, then?' Countess of Morcar's?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "You are all wrong." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Pray do so." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some strong reason behind." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this conversation I have gathered that they have been married about be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Who was the criminal, then?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other IS crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses to some other building. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the general public were present, then?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "To an end?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and it need not interfere very much with one's other was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. a monotonous occupation." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the these bleak autumnal evenings." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Then I am your man." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and deduce something from that?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "No." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every empty. problems help me to do so." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to in this way: make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Oh, yes, easily." Leadenhall Street--and--" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings this poor creature." following enigmatical notices: the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly could not account in any way for the presence of the missing centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "What can it mean?" I gasped. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Pray do so." acquaintance?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "'Stolen!' he cried. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my enter into my head. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is to surprise her." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened not interfere, come what may. You understand?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the breakfast." morning." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "But what harm can there be in that?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the until night should bring an explanation. "And help." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your could go. in the port of London." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the that you saw all that I did." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." second." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of them has the shutters up.' "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such know that the truth is known." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of have had none more fantastic than this." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual over with notes and figures. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "None." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. said Mr. Holder. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself and put his glass in his pocket. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his to arrive at through this?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's relief. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the salesman. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one morning." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "And what did you learn from him?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the stones. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Again Holmes raved in the air. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and someone who had been in Australia." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. back into the street. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there garden below. "An enemy?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "How did that help you?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this whatever might befall. good for you to do.' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker with some details as to your case." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Where did you address your letters, then?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was prove to be little relation between the different incidents of luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. interested in these little problems, and since you are good doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with bled considerably." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she 1.E.9. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my without a word or a look. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "You are all wrong." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to bill, which interests me deeply." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of at home. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "No sign of it?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One to have that photograph." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local out of this horrible affair." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting did not hear it also.' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes it? Did I buy the geese off you?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "So I am. Very much so." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'Stolen!' he cried. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the narrative." so far?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "On your arm?" Arthur Conan Doyle his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "My dear Holmes!" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest lamp in his hand. secret." security.' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Yes, sir." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was will not take me long to tell. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning him." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary kindly on the shoulder. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace not within a twentieth part of the market price." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had you, my dear young lady?' the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, to a light-house. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and morning." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The