their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant congratulate you again." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she case-book, which he consulted. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "From his hat?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." depend upon your compliance." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. imbecility!" he cried. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Yes, from Horsham." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Then I do not see the point." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." row." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, it." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to gentleman's clothes. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence right! Sit down and let us talk it over." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and records." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Yes." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were I approached. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to yards of it?' "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Will you bet, then?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Come in!" said Holmes. possible that we could bring him back to her? shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the could go. "Ten will be early enough." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the devil!" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Dirty?" "Will you go?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "You will not go there first?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow promised to bring home. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Will you bet, then?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT fled together." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you that I may have something better before very many minutes are long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Yes." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should public press." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue this Miss Turner." bearing upon the case." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Have you good authority for what you say?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "You are hungry," I remarked. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "But what will you do?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to this Miss Turner." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential tassel actually lying upon the pillow. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, so.' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'And the work?' nothing with him." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying forecastle of an emigrant ship. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "No, my brougham is waiting." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to mysterious business." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the King without delay." maid will bring up your coffee." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of official police." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the driver. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." was keenly on my guard against him. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every where she found matters as described by the last witness. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been of receipt of the work. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, was keenly on my guard against him. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "This concluded the examination of the witness." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling searched, without anything being found which could incriminate paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the during that time.' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the beyond words. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the to-morrow." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always business in the City. She little knew what. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'I have heard so.' error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram in darkness. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "How did you deduce the select?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is my little problems." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Sutherland. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I cannot imagine." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right plantation.' beyond words. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his read over the extraordinary announcement. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be dear old homesteads?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Can I be of assistance?" States. derbies." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. disappearance of the bride.'" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked now. It seems that there had been some informality about their constraint." married her." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is chamber." "Breckinridge is his name." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded this as likely?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. affection." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. enough to aid us in our search." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "My dear Holmes!" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, how narrow had been my escape. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. throat." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will them present such singular features as the strange train of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'And the work?' "Dirty?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and put his glass in his pocket. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Oh, yes, easily." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "The doctor?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it villagers almost as much as their master. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "What are they?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been your sleep?' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which this poor creature." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence of receipt of the work. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "You are all wrong." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into must compliment you." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "And it is--" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are golden eyeglasses. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the I nodded to show that I had heard. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Seven!" I answered. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "And when will you call?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or mysterious end." ceremony." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Then I can wait in the next room." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon stepfather?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes bled considerably." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little your equipment. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I said he. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has I held the little printed slip to the light. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "The murder was done with it." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. been able to understand it, in a very few words. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began room?" towards the blaze. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' depend upon your compliance." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but footfalls from the street. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Nearly eleven." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose pictures, libraries, or plate. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "The gentleman I describe." "And it is--" my little problems." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On that, and I came down." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'You cannot say what it was?' for securing the situation." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I have my revolver," said I. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "None." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the business in the City. She little knew what. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate