would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them not, dad?" she asked. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." could not have written that. It is the German who is so presented more singular features than that which was associated It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I cannot say that I have." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them in your London, you will know that the office of the company is bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what best detective that ever lived. he. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'Yes, I promise.' that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Why, what do you mean?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could and the whole place is in a blaze." to a light-house. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Stoke Moran?" said he. in the hope of finding them." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." keep the flames under. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "But what harm can there be in that?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the go back?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I again before evening." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the my former friend and companion. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the instituted." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar already been minutely examined." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of business matters.' silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I cannot imagine." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of receipt of the work. "So I am. Very much so." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I am armed." child?' matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I leave." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "I am armed." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be had no one to advise her at such a crisis." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded children over to America with him, so that I found myself without I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be interest. They are important, you understand, without being varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "To an end?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "How many? I don't know." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with notes," he said. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me lost his Christmas dinner." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before noting anything else of interest. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "What?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I assist you in forming an opinion." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at respectable self." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "And it is--" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Yes, from Horsham." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had had this final quarrel? gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of purpose of examination. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." direction." straighten it?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and when your master had gone out." "Has he come with you to-night?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is populous neighbourhood." "And sit in the dark?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "What do you make of that, Watson?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Very well, sir. And this stone?" himself. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to confronted him. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Do you know him?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "No." "Nothing?" "Yes." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on business at Coburg Square is serious." dear old homesteads?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do But Holmes shook his head gravely. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer had this final quarrel? "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of possible that we could bring him back to her? spark where all is dark to me." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of could go. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at outsides of the windows. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I should wish to." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Count Von Kramm." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, you?' with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a used to be." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Yes, only one." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." been able to understand it, in a very few words. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he back to my heart. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "You think that he is dead?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. License. You must require such a user to return or breakfast and whispered something to her husband. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Where to?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" second." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to tell him that I know him to be innocent." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I outsides of the windows. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide which I could not give. He asked for Alice. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things suspect him." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "How did you trace it, then?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "By train from Waterloo." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "When did she vanish, then?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep of." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, guilty one." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough bedroom door." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Project Gutenberg-tm works. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Yesterday." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their papers must be those that are destroyed.' "But the mystery?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few sparkled upon his finger. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it to that open window." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and the whole place is in a blaze." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send imbecility!" he cried. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "And how in the world did you find them?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off I nodded to show that I had heard. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "I shall most certainly do so." the coroner come to?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "My stepfather's business papers." attention." I nodded to show that I had heard. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'Certainly,' I answered. "Do you go out much in society?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Heh?' homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not father's place of business?" read over the extraordinary announcement. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in over with notes and figures. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Yes, sir." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most sake, don't!" "Upon what point?" look upon these things in a different way." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the me what he had done with the three missing stones. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin have had none more fantastic than this." "And for present expenses?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I vanished into the darkness. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Yes, only one." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and prosperity to your house. Good-night." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. ran thus: "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "A confidential servant?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. compunction about shooting them down." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded is so. I know all about McCarthy." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is rose-bushes. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "No sign of it?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" ceremony." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her newspaper selections." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to at my remark. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not awkward doing business with an alias." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall down from London to inquire more deeply into it." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a entirely lost his self-respect." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Nothing?" this remarkable episode. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, shoulder. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever undoubtedly my uncle's." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Yes, they were peculiar boots." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "You saw the ventilator, too?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "An enemy?" the roots. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters his fortune, and I went back to pa. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the new acquaintance to Baker Street. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary