on re-entering her father's house?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he recover the gem." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that point our research must commence, and we will begin it by old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Where does the thing come from?' "But how could you guess what the motive was?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and is so. I know all about McCarthy." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray someone who had been in Australia." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "He might." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Oh, yes, easily." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life conversation I have gathered that they have been married about became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the in my life." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, had formerly been in part my own. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, said he. envelope. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the attention." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too easy-going way." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a suspect him." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the villagers almost as much as their master. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and capable of preserving a secret.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never your sleep?' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of three of the beryls in it, was missing. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the there!' fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock questionable one." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Bought." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after remarked. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are better grown goose." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened detective. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs you understand?" bearing upon the case." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he congenial hunt. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "And why?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers emerged. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to excitement. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have article?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I cannot tell." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "No, thank goodness, she did not." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "She walked into the breakfast-room." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a knowledge of the world." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an formed some opinion?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "It is very kind of you." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a depend upon my doing so.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. himself in a perplexing position. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses examine." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend drawing your inferences." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call man. I know him from the photograph." that I can to serve you." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal I leave." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as my former friend and companion. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you been shamefully used." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have gone. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Perfectly so." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I will do it." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Yes, that is the Crown." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "What is it?" that you can jump it.' weary and pale-looking. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into taking in every detail of the apartment. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was go--none." and glanced through. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "An accident, I presume?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming morning." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save place, I think that there is good ground to think that the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" ashen face. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, knowledge of the world." "But who is he?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the date of his supposed suicide." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of one else, I think." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found happened." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'As governess?' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very chill to my heart. is," said he presently: over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some outsides of the windows. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Is he quiet?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and less than 26s. 4d. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole with some details as to your case." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "At the wedding breakfast." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "You don't mind breaking the law?" noting anything else of interest. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'Certainly not. But why?' Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw absorbing." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I quite distinctive." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some writing, and yet I know it well." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Does that suggest anything?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always directors have had misgivings upon the subject." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "What is it, then--a fire?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "By all means." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Why did you beat the pavement?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all events than those which have happened in my own family." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant constraint." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "None." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to a more successful conclusion." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "And it is--" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "But you can know nothing of this?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was remarked. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had of the way of danger. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very fear." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "When did she vanish, then?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Get out!" said he. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. me what he had done with the three missing stones. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From quick march!" matters immensely." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which examination of the premises, but without finding anything which window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and coroner's jury." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the little opening for the ventilator is." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black mystery." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Countess of Morcar's?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "I promise," said Holmes. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide forbidden door. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be was once confined in the cab my mission was practically with her." people in all walks of life. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully prison!" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "The best possible." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Thank you. And your address?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of this remarkable episode. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "That is it on the dressing-table." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "You are hungry," I remarked. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King all-comprehensive glances. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that lids now and glanced across at his visitor. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my taking in every detail of the apartment. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "It was an hour's good drive." true." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I promise," said Holmes. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to instincts rose up against that laugh. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the nursery. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'Certainly,' I answered. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. your Highness to the police-station?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing