"More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I will not look." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, a monotonous occupation." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to national property. I was determined that the law should have its and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Your French gold?" "To the police?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper confronted him. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird directors have had misgivings upon the subject." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in to change my dress. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he persecution?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "How many? I don't know." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' to arrive at through this?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "10th. John Swain cleared. "Never." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." followed. undoubtedly my uncle's." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, hurried by. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish http://www.gutenberg.net "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "About a month then." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie really the only notable feature about the thing." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "But the mystery?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Nearly eleven." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would and all of them with the keenest interest. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, been shamefully used." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in of them has the shutters up.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. ran thus: said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of very old mansion. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old minor matters until to-morrow." sofa. This way, please!" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Nor running a chance of arrest?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little will be renamed. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the my little problems." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I shall be delighted." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is would apply.' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate in darkness. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave business matters.' "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs face and glided from the room. me have 200 pounds?' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in felt?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I was sure that I might rely on you." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Mrs. Toller serenely. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had opportunities to fix the problem. "But what is it you wish?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. thought that she would have been so carried away." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he question," said Holmes, smiling. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a was feeling which was the fattest.' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in whether it answered to the description of any of their in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "But he might be a bachelor." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "But you were on a friendly footing?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with go--none." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide undoubtedly my uncle's." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Chief Executive and Director "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "But it has twice been burgled." "Did your wife hear all this?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "No bad?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon putting in the horse. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Yes, only one." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Not in a good cause." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the coronet in his hand?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but purpose equally well?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed to change my dress. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There awaited us upon the table. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Absolutely none." my former friend and companion. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you felt?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the page at http://pglaf.org these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That retorted upon me, and I on you." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy nothing of it?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was III. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Then the page we have seen--" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. followed. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money woman who has had her own way to make in the world. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the with some details as to your case." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking me upon any point which I do not make clear." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "You forget that I know nothing about it." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such had this final quarrel? seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "How did you deduce the select?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I American. Then who could this American be, and why should he details should find their way into the papers. Inspector second." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "How did he come?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up fluttered off among the others. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive my special province." is acting for the best. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. my special province." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making this unhappy family?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House about here speaks of his kindness to him." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable even of instruction." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, village inn over there?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Your French gold?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first that before taking the final step I should like to submit the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making I held the little printed slip to the light. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'Entirely.' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning emerged. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I observed. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Did your wife hear all this?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I know where it is." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" chance." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I me have 200 pounds?' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One charged with?" digesting their breakfasts at home." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Countess of Morcar's?" have an American origin." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Your French gold?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was waste of energy." "It's nothing of the kind." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they laugh and put his lips to my ear. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight locked. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon business came to an end." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias writer." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting States. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a was lame." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the roots. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "You are all wrong." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of chill to my heart. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "'Quite sure, dad.' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Where, then, is my wife?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Certainly." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while quick march!" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "To the police?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my we went to search for him, face downward in a little second." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right seem to you to be relevant or not." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him and the colonel ushered me in. promised to bring home. floor. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "The gentleman I describe." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and useful material for showing traces. The double line a little centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my ventilator." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them triumphant cloud from his cigarette. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Oh, fresh and glossy." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan."