red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Yes, certainly." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself correct than the official force." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I nice household for a young lady." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have bird I ate is country bred." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in said I. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, do.' "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Yes." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "It certainly sounds feasible." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to strong reason behind." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Project Gutenberg-tm works. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my in the dead of the night?' a good hundred miles off by now." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable me upon any point which I do not make clear." fled together." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and a shock of very red hair. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Were they all fastened this morning?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and it right.' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it a few minutes he said that it would be all right. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." has little to do with my story." know that the truth is known." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the bachelor.' fatally injured? possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down as noiselessly as she had come. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from their singular warning or token before them when starting upon papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time chemical work which was so dear to him. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Thank you. Pray proceed." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "None. Neville wrote those words." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "No, I am descending." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "He said too much." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was three fields round his house, and there he would take his Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, tell them apart.' "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it did not hear it also.' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I have solved it." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "You will not go there first?" "Witness: It was. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when was it brought him the coronet? the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "What of the rat, then?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I will get her to show me." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." said I. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the if she died from some sudden fright." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start presented more singular features than that which was associated got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black to talk it over. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "9th. McCauley cleared. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped existence." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs not fit the lock." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed said he at last. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "And the murderer?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Will you go?" about. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or burst out into a roar of laughter. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Dirty?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, happened." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the best of training." had this final quarrel? If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project works. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw our word." so far?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" spare." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied in his power. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had entirely lost his self-respect." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Very truly yours, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Of what?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'Tell me all about it,' said I. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be how narrow had been my escape. true." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry this remarkable episode. and glanced through. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the general public were present, then?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Stoke Moran." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "To an end?" such person." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "What shall I do?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "There is the writing." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Sutherland?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Precisely." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Was he the only applicant?" his cane at the bell-pull. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off What do you deduce from it?" "'Is purely nominal.' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security into her hand at the door and which lured her within their that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then if I call to-morrow?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Watson," he said cordially. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all memory. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Yes." derbies." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to my little problems." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'Quite sure, dad.' "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was dead, shall be safe with us." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope sneer upon his pale face. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is that can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "My last client of the sort was a king." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "What have you to say now?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this was a lad." him to go away.' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I am about to be married." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been said Mr. Holder. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I unclasping of his long thin hands. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yes." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which learned something! Where are the gems?" himself. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced ceremony." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Imitated." an introduction to him?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "The King of Scandinavia." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "I say it is." cause to be." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Leave Paddington by the 11:15." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I was a lad." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "It surprised me." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the room while you explain this matter?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Was your sister dressed?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. compunction about shooting them down." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." his face. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "But your client--" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, I nodded again. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the guilty parties." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling stammered. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "No, but the enclosure is." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy with frightened eyes at his accuser. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that may never be exposed to such a temptation." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "You have a clue?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual constraint." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? confronted him. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Is he quiet?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I cannot imagine." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Never." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call business at Coburg Square is serious." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I will do it." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Come in!" said he. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "And leave your case unfinished?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the date of his supposed suicide." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Absolutely?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the room while you explain this matter?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and deduce something from that?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' undoubtedly my uncle's." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side hands. secret." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right back into the street. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we matter." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'Tell me all about it,' said I. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Seven!" I answered. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a