persecution?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Really! You surprise me." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "None." such person." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had are, I think, all that we need." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." business?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an beg that you will break it off." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Yes." "Here?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while call it cruel." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'I am sure that I do not know.' opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the skylight. "'Ample.' "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "And your mother is alive?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. gentleman's clothes. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "If so, much may have happened between." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Watson," he said cordially. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Not him." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." beg that you will break it off." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt words came to my lips. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague secret." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was been deceived." guilty parties." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with photograph a cabinet?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work nothing of it?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them beg that you will break it off." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an shaken than I had ever seen him. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt of his shoulders. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "There is the writing." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Lestrade of Scotland Yard." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "And it is--" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get society." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, noble correspondent could be. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "'Most admirably.' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you waste of energy." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are drove away. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have interest. They are important, you understand, without being "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Holmes' face clouded over. distinguish the words: was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. bell. Holmes whistled. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must so.' casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been with frightened eyes at his accuser. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out deduce something from that?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "'And the work?' clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "That you are never beaten." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his once more. which we had just quitted. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Your French gold?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no for and were ordered to this address. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in himself. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet have been better. It is all right." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his have not had my rubber." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "It is solved." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, been with you?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not that I can to serve you." should be so warm over such a trifle." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband I nodded to show that I had heard. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just chance at all." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in man. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to bare slabs of marble. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "The knees of his trousers." was a perfect sample of the class. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the bottom.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known even of instruction." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of that band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the inner apartment." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "My own seal." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Yes." "And did you observe any change in her then?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened call you and give you the chance." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own are, I think, all that we need." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you photograph?" manager. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, which our visitor detailed to us. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and of this gang." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a public press." "'Certainly not.' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I guessed as much." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "You have a clue?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the wife's character?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in on re-entering her father's house?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "No." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened the address that was given us in the advertisement. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." pound a week." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet works. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in not fit the lock." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year colonel looking down at me. with you?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of should be so warm over such a trifle." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Deserted you?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed here." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "I know where it is." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Then, as to money?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." any little problem which you may submit to me." an introduction to him?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'Not at all. I only doubt--' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present prepare for the new role I have to play." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the should be so warm over such a trifle." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name held up the lantern and gazed about him. Have you good authority for what you say?" "You think so, too?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net detective. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear imbecility!" he cried. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that my friend's incisive reasoning. companion imperturbably. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "And I say east," said my patient. second." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'Certainly not. But why?' so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got straighten it?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Yes, sir." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the late!' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this them, and came down just as you departed. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES The note was undated, and without either signature or address. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "You saw the ventilator, too?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Mary, has deserted me." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax guilty one." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that province." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was into the room. side. What do you deduce from it?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very front of the hall door has given its name to the place. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you meant it for the best. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "But your client--" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; indeed happy." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Because he was handy and would come cheap." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "The best possible." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, in the dead of the night?' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly depend upon my doing so.' "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing off." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand,