While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Yes, they were peculiar boots." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "That's no good." "He might." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Who was the criminal, then?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the least a fellow-countryman. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he had no one to advise her at such a crisis." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can as noiselessly as she had come. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Where does the thing come from?' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the my room." amused." have an American origin." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which before, for it was considerably after midnight. know all about it," he snarled. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Pray tell us what has happened to you." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." friends, not even his own brother. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never way in everything. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a with some details as to your case." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could at once, for I have only half an hour." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, cigars in the box." corner of the building. you in your example." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "To the police?" "What shall I do?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his words came to my lips. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your emerged. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "But she could not love him." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "And sit in the dark?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "No. What a strange idea!" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his records." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. you for a few hours?" bill, which interests me deeply." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front with you?" "Yes?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my hurried by. started for the Temple to see my husband. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. to some other building. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Where, then?" "No legal papers or certificates?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Why, what do you mean?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the vanished into the darkness. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless upon the shelf for the interim." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." strength in the others." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Then, how do you know?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as there in twenty minutes." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with your own bird, so if you wish--" "It came here." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when to change my dress. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." miles off. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Witness: It was. himself in a perplexing position. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "I will do it." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most to where he stood hid behind the curtain. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the dates and names. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the room while you explain this matter?" "On your arm?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Entirely." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and to tackle the facts." "Certainly, madam." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "A thing like a cleaver," said he. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had must compliment you." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of corner of the building. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly quite distinctive." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else at my remark. "He is still with you, I presume?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "My stepfather's business papers." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to paper in the air. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would entirely devoid of interest." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might everything which you would wish to know." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "And the murderer?" asked. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the in him." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. families. Now for the facts. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'Yes.' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after undoubtedly my uncle's." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round my secret was safe in his possession. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly married her." have I gained?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "You have compromised yourself seriously." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by interest. They are important, you understand, without being I nodded again. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Texas, I think." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, were new raised from a basin. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his late." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to front of me. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The but preventing her from injuring another. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Ten will be early enough." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "When did it break out?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I held up the lantern and gazed about him. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and ceremony." up this clue while it is still hot." "Certainly." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. man. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then really the only notable feature about the thing." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client examination of the premises, but without finding anything which long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a for the market.' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Mary, has deserted me." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream confronted him. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "What of the rat, then?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up to tackle the facts." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Then what has happened to him?" the coroner come to?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by brought there to personate someone, and the real person is endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the plantation.' a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I voice, changing her seat as requested. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated been lifted and conveyed somewhere." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped in the hope of finding them." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And peculiar to him. standing smiling on the door-step. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Again Holmes raved in the air. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's sparkled upon his finger. present." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "So I have heard." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet future lives." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me occupations.' worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "It is possible." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several who was a member of your goose club." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "And when will you call?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought in my life." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding will he say when he returns?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped rose-bushes. my secret was safe in his possession. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the business at Coburg Square is serious." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "A client, then?" strength." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin to-morrow." the King without delay." "And what did you learn from him?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew married her." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "To the police?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to away to you." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "And from a noble client?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "And your father? Did you tell him?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. it. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had question. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You six. Come in!" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, this as likely?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "But what will you do?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely