place of silver." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the child." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Of what?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the was lame." and wait." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Really! You surprise me." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "It was." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Holmes. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the are windows in it, of course?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Holmes. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Cross for the Continent." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for indeed which he could not unravel. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "You horrify me." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among begun to whiten, even as mine has." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Did your wife hear all this?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, soul! here is her carriage at the door." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate my former friend and companion. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but opened the door, and slipped through. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "It looks newer than the other things?" nothing with him." prisoner's face. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son works. See paragraph 1.E below. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Deserted you?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Imitated." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I cannot say that I have." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "At what time?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'What then?' I asked. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally he bowed and left the room without another word. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible them, and came down just as you departed. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys conclusions. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Young McCarthy must be got off, however." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in remarked. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." that threaten you." experiences." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should into the room. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without point in the dark hollow of his hand. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "None. Neville wrote those words." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "No, distinctly professional." "Pray do so." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am second." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my done what I asked you, Jones?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was see a sister of mine apply for." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if good for you to do.' imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." than was visible to me." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that appeared upon the scene." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite case before our client came into the room." the stable lane now." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "We were both in the photograph." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "No legal papers or certificates?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Her father is very rich?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. together. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without gives a meaning to it." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah back into the street. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely over his head with a sweet womanly caress. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even meant it for the best. think, you have already met." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I came to find a friend." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my congenial hunt. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, was lame." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the it right.' "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry woman." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Surrey." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Murdered?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing main points of my analysis." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting 'please.'" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house three of the beryls in it, was missing. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the roots. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater money should be paid at once.' "Entirely." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Was he the only applicant?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "The decline of his fortunes, then?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "No, finished." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's had died away into the silence from which it rose. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was in the port of London." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads October 9, 1890. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which have not had my rubber." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Dr. Becher's." and all of them with the keenest interest. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "You horrify me!" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable always that they were such commands as a lady might with eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven with you?" examine." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got better in every way that they should make their position a little light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the touch that coronet?' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort situation." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "So I am. Very much so." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy annoyance, but no jest. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." thirty. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or address. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Game for a morning drive?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who that threaten you." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and redistribution. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a you understand?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Yes." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. ordinary clothes on?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Is he quiet?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Yes." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "And now?" I asked. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have views." should be taken.' with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. bonnet, and went out." only touch the interest." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'And what salary do you ask?' his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" salesman. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the murdered man." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at visitors." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "And you don't know his address?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the ceiling. friends, not even his own brother. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I have hopes." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." becomes even more simple." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and neither fascinating nor artistic." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the in the hope of finding them." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open galvanised. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I cannot imagine." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. happened." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay call the police, let the police find what they can.' than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "ARAT," I read. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Awake, Watson?" he asked. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to 11:15.' for and were ordered to this address. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" my former friend and companion. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Do you go out much in society?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure writers could invent nothing more crude." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the nursery. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it