Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the Red-headed League." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded attention." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Perhaps we may make them less so." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Gutenberg-tm License. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as about. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." future lives." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the pictures, libraries, or plate. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger You want to know what became of those geese?" "And why?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining at once, for I have only half an hour." "Where, indeed?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the highly," said Holmes. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Henry Baker is a member." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "When did she vanish, then?" of campaign. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "I have hopes." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in like gravel from a pit.' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "When did she vanish, then?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Chief Executive and Director whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "'And the work?' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Countess of Morcar's?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Doctor, of the paper and the date." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "At the wedding breakfast." "And Irene Adler?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the For additional contact information: have had none more fantastic than this." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," on re-entering her father's house?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the stones. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I say that I have solved it." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the King without delay." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Holmes' face clouded over. introspective fashion. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Texas, I think." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to lamp. "Yes." unclasping of his long thin hands. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free bled considerably." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Oh, the cause is excellent!" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I am sure." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Why, what do you mean?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the be there in time for your coming." union?" "How often?" questioning and rather startled gaze. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell your sleep?' which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "You'll never persuade me to believe that." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. on in his house." character. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "You are all wrong." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Yes." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "The landlord of the Alpha." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you woman who has had her own way to make in the world. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "A thing like a cleaver," said he. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this made his money." affection." "'Oh, no.' sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "My photograph." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been asked with his eyes open. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Nothing?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of may never be exposed to such a temptation." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the south, for the country is more deserted there." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most an introduction to him?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. photograph?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are golden eyeglasses. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of developed." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Mary, has deserted me." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At questionable one." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The fire. You quite follow me?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "He might." "Entirely." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which individual and becomes the badge of a society." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made hurried away. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'Yes, sir.' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said tension within him. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "The Coroner: What do you mean? Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric think that any burglar could have done. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my standing smiling on the door-step. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "None." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You have but to name it." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office affection." observed. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" for securing the situation." "You think that he is dead?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "That is easily got." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call whether it answered to the description of any of their make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a on re-entering her father's house?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there weighed down with some great anxiety. "He slept on the premises." stepfather?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was never to learn it at all." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager digesting their breakfasts at home." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." hour?' grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the your co-operation." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I respectable self." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to dear old homesteads?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "'What do you call purely nominal?' "And Miss Sutherland?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a photograph?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock tell him that I know him to be innocent." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Oh, yes, easily." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Which surely he restored to their owner?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the carriage. It was a chestnut." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate that I may have something better before very many minutes are "No, I had a dozen." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been him, that man would not have given me such complete information but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the again, where I was soon asleep. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, case-book, which he consulted. look upon these things in a different way." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her voice, changing her seat as requested. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for in his power. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray o'clock is it?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "What then?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the loss of it. quick march!" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Yes, I have one waiting." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I cost them two and thirty pounds." "But you have hopes?" main points of my analysis." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away opportunities to fix the problem. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "And it is--" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "He might." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Countess of Morcar's?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I drawing your inferences." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that sake, don't!" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my fat-encircled eyes. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. wedding?"