"Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until of campaign. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Have you it here?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He your bag." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from purpose equally well?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great himself to tell his story. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that clang of the bell. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Ample." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and married her." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt that, and I came down." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Pope's Court, Fleet Street." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'About the same.' cigars in their mouths. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual spare." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of that he will be back before evening." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my McCarthy's innocence. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "But you have hopes?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "But she will refuse." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences beg that you will break it off." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Then how many are there?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to outsides of the windows. empty. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "You have the photograph?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for she has been waylaid. There has been no result." on re-entering her father's house?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face of note-paper. It read in this fashion: some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I question you as to those details which seem to me to be most face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt present." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. him to be an active member of the medical profession." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate to have that photograph." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "How did you trace it, then?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do my little problems." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his ready to-morrow?' year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. this man was intellectual?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Do you go out much in society?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I rose-bushes. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A charged with?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are intrusion of other matters." "But I am all in the dark." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell purpose equally well?" delirious. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." outside. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "What I expected to see." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he furiously. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and who was a member of your goose club." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault bled considerably." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "I have seen the police." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been his cane at the bell-pull. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out you?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to hardly wander." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some with some details as to your case." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six do you make of it all?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the coronet in his hands?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Ha! you find it so?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon annoyance, but no jest. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious joking. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "And when will you call?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "I promise," said Holmes. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "A thing like a cleaver," said he. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his fashion which was peculiar to him. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Yes." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Two days later this same performance was gone through under comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. works. See paragraph 1.E below. light and attacked it." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "This concluded the examination of the witness." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "That's no good." success. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing chance." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was in the port of London." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Then I am your man." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing envelope. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. experiences." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so you?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Breckinridge is his name." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "But what is it you wish?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. delighted to hear it," he said. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the loss of it. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Really! You surprise me." "'Oh, no.' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a signal between you and your father? armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these and the church but not where the lady lived." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as hard-headed British jury." call you and give you the chance." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, back alive. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. voice. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "So I have heard." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the in a friendly supper." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'What then?' I asked. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I away in different directions, and I went off to make my own which should have the effect of calling the attention of the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. of your young ladies.' just called myself is not exactly my own." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'What then?' I asked. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, important." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Does that suggest anything?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate 'I should be able to look after that for you.' people in all walks of life. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Chief Executive and Director were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. union?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than spark where all is dark to me." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Whose house is it?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain as the one I chose?' believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss some mystery and the punishment of some crime." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I should like to see him very much." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the strong reason behind." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "No." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each trying to your nerves." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but have I gained?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." walking." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. exactly what you advise." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we later, upon the night of May 2nd." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "And the cigar-holder?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I answered that I had not. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "She told me to ask you." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common that?' unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "How about poison?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man drawing your inferences." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable done what I asked you, Jones?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Married! When?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my was the fact that his father should, according to his account, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Yes, only one." the tragedy.