say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'Certainly,' I answered. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "To the police?" have established a very serious case against the son of the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "You will not go there first?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, plantation.' smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian voice, changing her seat as requested. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." it with his own hands." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "May I see it?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the stones. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger behind me. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 had died away into the silence from which it rose. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and glanced through. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I do." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's article?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Of Friday, June 19th." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his posted to-day." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Then the page we have seen--" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "And Miss Sutherland?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the and glanced through. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'In my own bureau.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the Red-headed League." shall use the carriage to-night." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "If I can be of use." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I cannot say that I have." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were meanly of me." becomes even more simple." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the station." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor approach us with offers to donate. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP him to go away.' which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the of the one which your family is now devouring." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" we went to search for him, face downward in a little desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters in this note: along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and room had already been engaged for us. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his to Leatherhead. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined back to my heart. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed late." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his him and tried to hold him back. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I developed." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "And from a noble client?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is is four-and-twenty." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook congenial hunt. indeed which he could not unravel. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' in darkness. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with definite end. in this way: my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by think you a quite exceptional woman." "'And the work?' bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I ashen face. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the occupations.' Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "But I am all in the dark." "What do you mean?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which meant." "You have carte blanche." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." bedroom door." "I have a cab outside." "'Yes, sir.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am *** START: FULL LICENSE *** showing my impatience. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Bought." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the system of imprisonment?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three any more." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I warn you that they are very incomplete." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "And now?" He raised his hand. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Thank you. And your address?" matter." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your annoyance, but no jest. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Yes, from Horsham." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Do you receive much company?" he asked. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided overpowering excitement and concern. "Yes, only one." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Doctor, of the paper and the date." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." 11:15.' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as correct than the official force." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter main points of my analysis." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a him. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers papers diligently of late, have you not?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "And who is her maid?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of you give your casting vote to?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Yes, it would be as well." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out lost his Christmas dinner." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the main points of my analysis." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the 'please.'" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and capable of preserving a secret.' "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." himself. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which breakfast?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they later, upon the night of May 2nd." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking that threaten you." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "My dear Holmes!" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Where did you address your letters, then?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Very murderous indeed." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "You don't mind breaking the law?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less promised to bring home. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the 1.F. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said forebodings. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. nonsense.' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms dead, shall be safe with us." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Pray continue your narrative." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "No?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed foot. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or searched, without anything being found which could incriminate his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, asked with his eyes open. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the one of the states of the Union." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the at my own good fortune. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing go back?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods we went to search for him, face downward in a little "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over all-comprehensive glances. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! information in his hands the value of which he did not himself at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading one of the states of the Union." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "At what time?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special were unconscious?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be second." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "No." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the was not a bird to be seen there. "In answer to an advertisement." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again ventilator." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'I shall certainly be there.' "And how have you succeeded?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter figure." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said present." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' you." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Was she in good spirits?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I am armed." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I never have." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began people don't know." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the south, for the country is more deserted there." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, four million human beings all jostling each other within the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any introspective fashion. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I would give my fortune to have them back." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Entirely." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Then I shall certainly come." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of Fenchurch Street." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the salesman. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the it. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Seven!" I answered. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "My photograph." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon congratulate you again." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been details." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Yes." "It must be recovered." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS putting in the horse. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Ample." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said October 9, 1890. "The gentleman I describe." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Your sister is dead, then?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's photograph?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for