Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'And the work?' "Where did you address your letters, then?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I was afraid that you were engaged." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'And what are they worth?' I asked. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Yes, all." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'Tell me all about it,' said I. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are and have this put in the evening papers." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "It is his hat." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." I. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the photograph a cabinet?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the you in your example." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the roots. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, III. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the dangers which encompass me." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was shag which I had seen upon the previous night. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across crowd. "By all means." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "At what time?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." this remarkable episode. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'Where to?' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "9th. McCauley cleared. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. enter into my head. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, speckled band?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "I came to find a friend." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, voice. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Holmes' face clouded over. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he carpenter." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project that there was nothing in it, after all." returned to France?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I should be immensely obliged to you." "And now?" I asked. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Where, then, is my wife?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these was once confined in the cab my mission was practically I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on suspect him." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and at once, for I have only half an hour." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, events, Mr. Windibank!" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to said he. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Have you good authority for what you say?" any." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. details." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "If I can be of use." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the never will be, entirely cleared up. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. new duties?' "Tired-looking or fresh?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an mysterious end." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you take the flies, but not before." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. was already answered. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "To an end?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major bonnet, and went out." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard showing my impatience. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a ago." do." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and with you alone." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "What, then?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'Oh, no.' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, what do you think they found in the pockets?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "What do you mean?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away something of him before." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Chief Executive and Director "But how did you gain them?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time carpenter." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I will try. What is it?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger God! What an exposure! What can I do?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too call for protection in the marriage market, for the present cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you get the tickets." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he of fine shops and stately business premises that they really deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as even of instruction." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true you in yours." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we questioning and rather startled gaze. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the inner apartment." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in His smile broadened. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is than to us. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is without a word or a look. will not take me long to tell. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "That is unusual in a young girl." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be eat it." Street. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "How did that help you?" "Witness: I must still refuse. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Witness: I must still refuse. public press." the child." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I think it very unlikely." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were with frightened eyes at his accuser. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "It is a murder, then?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the think you a quite exceptional woman." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And the cigar-holder?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Texas, I think." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of that I am arrested." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business fait accompli?" III. tied." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old unprecedented a position." signal between you and your father? The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said sake, don't!" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Just look it up, then." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more it. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, and your relations to her." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day along the entire front of the house, with three long windows usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment thin legs towards the fire. over with notes and figures. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the address that was given us in the advertisement. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "By no means." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Never." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "And now?" I asked. "No, but the enclosure is." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and get the tickets." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man redistribution. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I gbnewby@pglaf.org telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the little opening for the ventilator is." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a through." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Lestrade of Scotland Yard." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin at home. "I was sure that I might rely on you." throat." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to tell me that you intended to go into harness." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an in the dead of the night?' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his place of silver." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Then I do not see the point." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a straighten it?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Well, but China?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a without a word or a look. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "That you are never beaten." speckled band?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken developed." your own bird, so if you wish--" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "How did he come?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Where, then?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "How did that help you?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'You doubt its value?' he asked. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is child?' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip will not take me long to tell. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'Where to?' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "What, then, did Peterson do?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "No. What a strange idea!" photograph a cabinet?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her said I. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a written. "Yes, the wine-cellar." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I conduct the inquiry." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years just ask you whether you had heard it.' upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Breckinridge is his name." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Ah!" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed to a light-house. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered at once, for I have only half an hour." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I or in danger--" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards one of the states of the Union." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "'I am sure if I had known--' There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'Never.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it