had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to relief. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished brain must have something in it." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Henry Baker is a member." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and long narrative. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "By train from Waterloo." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my said I. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, works. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into him nearly every evening." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with cigars in their mouths. Have you good authority for what you say?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and garden below. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "That is not always so easy." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I cannot say that I have." questioning and rather startled gaze. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "VIOLET HUNTER." nights." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "The gentleman I describe." furiously. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have hour." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable o'clock is it?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "And how?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. question. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of narrative." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Yes, he did." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would you." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of gentleman's clothes. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my and glanced through. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and wait." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, families. Now for the facts. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to to affect your life." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Nothing." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "An accident, I presume?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the opened the door, and slipped through. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "In the cells." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a possible that we could bring him back to her? and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & will not take me long to tell. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "But of what society?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "But how?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a security.' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to affection." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal was lame." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's excitement. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Stoke Moran?" said he. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." a little more before I quite committed myself. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "We have tried and failed." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'Where could I find him?' Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "He said that you could solve anything." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had where she found matters as described by the last witness. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. fled together." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. charged with?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to yourselves in at night?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "What then?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek not as remarkable as your advertisement." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "So I heard. You have him here?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the station." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon have been better. It is all right." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I are windows in it, of course?" back alive. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" these bleak autumnal evenings." "What of the rat, then?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "But you were on a friendly footing?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. way: new duties?' together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'A dozen yards or so.' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of address. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did that, and I came down." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you to talk it over. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "No good news?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, a suggestive one." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick trying to your nerves." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not dates and names. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect bare slabs of marble. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning noise which awoke you from your sleep?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Perhaps we may make them less so." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with unkempt, staring out at me. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Yes." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just was feeling which was the fattest.' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the if I call to-morrow?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless appointment with me for six o'clock?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, back to my heart. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the roots. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who and wait." "Your presence might be invaluable." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "What office?" that you wished to speak to me?' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was think that he is innocent?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present your troubles." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the This is what he says: "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. dead, shall be safe with us." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the so-precious time, but come!' "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Lee, in the county of Kent." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. criminal. We have already had experience of such." gbnewby@pglaf.org forehead. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by them?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid three fields round his house, and there he would take his which our visitor detailed to us. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Ten will be early enough." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered From what you have told me I think that it is possible that and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up in one or two places in England?' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the away to you." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a morning." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Holmes' face clouded over. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, might have a private word with us. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal even so self-evident a thing as that." you?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a here and I will read it to you: the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'I am sure if I had known--' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same My friend smiled. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and lost nothing by them." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very good for you to do.' framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar door?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that about here speaks of his kindness to him." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed upon a handsome competence. least a fellow-countryman. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, enough to aid us in our search." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, everything which you would wish to know." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Ample." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a second." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like go--none." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will upon an income of about 60 pounds." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my have established a very serious case against the son of the Have you good authority for what you say?" a very grave face. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his peculiar to him. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Do you go out much in society?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the to Leatherhead. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has shall use the carriage to-night." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet asked with his eyes open. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the dear old homesteads?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my careless servant girl?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "He said that you could solve anything." "I cannot imagine." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "That also I could fathom." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "And what did you see?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "This photograph!" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other go--none." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and your troubles." "Yes, only one." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Well?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you.