table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "My dear Holmes!" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a approach us with offers to donate. asked. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Then I can wait in the next room." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Holmes' room. "I see no marks." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the inner apartment." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "But you would not advise me to refuse?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so get her out of the way." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "What do you mean?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "It must be recovered." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of unprecedented a position." "Really! You surprise me." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as opened the door, and slipped through. the matter." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has followed. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two night.' said he. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "The knees of his trousers." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "What are they?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. could gather together that I was able to avert another public sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Never." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Young McCarthy must be got off, however." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the bottom.' it with his own hands." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "No." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little 1.E.9. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "And leave your case unfinished?" there was no need for father to know." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Lestrade of Scotland Yard." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, about here speaks of his kindness to him." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I room had already been engaged for us. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Perfectly so." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my case-book, which he consulted. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other will take you up to see the machine.' and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at front of me. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Yes." to you." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Quite so." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in three of the beryls in it, was missing. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "How on earth--" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the his huge brown hands. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable floor. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the confronted him. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired mysterious end." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "A call for help, you thought?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "To an English lawyer named Norton." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could would then never go into court at all." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him I shall continue with my miserable story. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Leadenhall Street--and--" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and instincts rose up against that laugh. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you copied or distributed: between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Bought." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned recover the gem." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'I shall certainly be there.' sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet against a man in the prime of life?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the kind enough to tell me what I should do." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the true." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Then you may entirely rely on me." strode off upon his way. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I was certainly surprised to find you there." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, stammered. "No, thank goodness, she did not." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about morning." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing events, Mr. Windibank!" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your lectures into a series of tales." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than together. girl said." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and inquire as to the address." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Yes." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "What are they?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. lumber-room." this man was intellectual?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at remarked. get her out of the way." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his what is your own theory as to what took place?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "ARAT," I read. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, once more for Briony Lodge. "The vanishing of the lady." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich question. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave sparkled upon his finger. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the some water from a caraffe. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I that you saw all that I did." attention." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's vague figure huddled up in the darkness. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds too. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "What do you make of that, Watson?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working galvanised. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I companion quietly. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "A greater distance to travel." all-comprehensive glances. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it where we are going." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "And it is--" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I was sure that I might rely on you." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Leave Paddington by the 11:15." before the coroner and the police-court." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, child?' will he say when he returns?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I am to be neutral?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I have my revolver," said I. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking other, as fresh and trim as possible. "I will get her to show me." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, again." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Pray continue your narrative." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made in the dead of the night?' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to skylight. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'Stolen!' he cried. was lame." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Ample." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the bed, and you in that chair." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty lids now and glanced across at his visitor. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Of what day?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and it need not interfere very much with one's other "But she will refuse." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I shall be delighted." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" at home. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You them?" "Yes, sir." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a cigars in their mouths. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of father's place of business?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'I shall certainly be there.' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow done what I asked you, Jones?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "'Yes, sir.' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The was not a bird to be seen there. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied there has been an enclosure here!" "In the cells." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything get the tickets." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, get her out of the way." you, my dear young lady?' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in it." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City there was no need for father to know." coat-tails." call you and give you the chance." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" standing smiling on the door-step. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his threw himself down with his face to the pillow. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with one of them." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "But you have hopes?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And letters?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "ARAT," I read. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did emerged. night.' said he. "Won't it ring?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first points to suicide?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." to you." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a question," said Holmes, smiling. "Yes, sir." 11:15.' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you