circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "No more words. Get out!" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I assure you that I am in your hands." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Pope's Court, Fleet Street." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he http://gutenberg.net/license). happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the be. "What do you make of that, Watson?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since mysterious end." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." bare slabs of marble. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "None. Neville wrote those words." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "But how did you gain them?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her said I. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "What do you make of that, Watson?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat and your relations to her." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, hard-headed British jury." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that to tackle the facts." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'And what are they worth?' I asked. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of prison!" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Her father is very rich?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. into the bag, and made for the door. do you make of it all?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are really the only notable feature about the thing." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and http://gutenberg.net/license). "One?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might society." the warnings." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE your troubles." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to habit of advancing money.' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her His smile broadened. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "What do you mean?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my evidence," I remarked. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Stoke Moran." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "And how did you verify them?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Stolen, then." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Who was the criminal, then?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly a suggestive one." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I have solved it." fait accompli?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and enter Dr. Roylott's room." "No?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just keep the flames under. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could business came to an end." better grown goose." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall McCarthy's innocence. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each which was all perfectly true. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I one's self under obligations.' works. See paragraph 1.E below. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, to tell." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Did he not advertise?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Stolen." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and whole matter to your consideration." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to fatally injured? where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for round with crates and massive boxes. carpenter." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already purpose equally well?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with useful material for showing traces. The double line a little inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his careless servant girl?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Yes." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months electronic works of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," I leave." the dangers which encompass me." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the roots. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "One horse?" interjected Holmes. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in that he has suffered." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive views." cause to be." bachelor.' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be habit of advancing money.' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson where Mr. Fordham shows you.' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Yes, from Horsham." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "What will you say?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs works. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Why, what do you mean?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a see a sister of mine apply for." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been DISSOLVED. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was humiliation." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He quite distinctive." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after this remarkable episode. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place photograph?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "It is his hat." fire. You quite follow me?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we weighed down with some great anxiety. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open ceremony." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, as noiselessly as she had come. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "And how have you succeeded?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Really! You surprise me." handed it to him. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I certainly do as you advise." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" to his chemical studies. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have be sorry for having acted so harshly." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I his face. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and 1.E.9. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that touch that coronet?' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of during that time.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened row." His name is Francis Prosper." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this client, rising. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the all that?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered train from Paddington which would bring you there at about cigars in the box." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "From his hat?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in yet." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "And how in the world did you find them?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an generous with you in money matters.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "He said that you could solve anything." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I individual and becomes the badge of a society." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I room. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Why did you beat the pavement?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Then you may be so with me." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards bears upon the case?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love husband's writing, madam." "That is easily got." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it your only hope of safety." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "The murder was done with it." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. be best to do. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I ill-usage at the hands of fortune. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and The King stared at him in amazement. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed I am not easy in my mind about them." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of speckled band?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack our word." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers back into the street. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Then, as to money?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email out of this horrible affair." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. golden eyeglasses. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A The telegram which we eventually received came late one night I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "You forget that I know nothing about it." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Then I shall certainly come." garden below. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and vanished into the darkness. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella wedding?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in fatally injured?