should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "That you are never beaten." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings shall use the carriage to-night." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Look there!" said he. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us had formerly been in part my own. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES his cane at the bell-pull. "It is possible." with her." It may be so in this case, also." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Street. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Then what has happened to him?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get my special province." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it note?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened case-book, which he consulted. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he that he will be back before evening." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the sufficient punishment." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a even so self-evident a thing as that." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, confronted him. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy persecution?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER case before our client came into the room." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "The Coroner: What do you mean? have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are I nodded to show that I had heard. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Well, it is a possible supposition." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other envelope. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Certainly, madam." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while strength." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a McCarthy's innocence. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by relief. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, she to prove their authenticity?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Were they all fastened this morning?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with never will be, entirely cleared up. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must him!" I held the little printed slip to the light. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed nothing of it?" business came to an end." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then events than those which have happened in my own family." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his what is your own theory as to what took place?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small do." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the ready to-morrow?' have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs humiliation." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' always that they were such commands as a lady might with some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "On Monday." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and passage and a tap at the door. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign back into the street. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed as he folded up the epistle. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very words came to my lips. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Nothing." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Dr. Gregory B. Newby "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The was used.' down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "And you can do nothing until then?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon bonnet, and went out." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "But your client--" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "He is dead," cried several voices. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That I shall communicate with you." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'A dozen yards or so.' typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "You think so, too?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, six. Come in!" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such without a word or a look. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Yes, it would be as well." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see four million human beings all jostling each other within the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot nothing of it?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. formed some opinion?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through habit of advancing money.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying she used." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "But I have heard all that you have heard." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream read it out to me." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office round with crates and massive boxes. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'What then?' I asked. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Literary Archive Foundation hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at speckled band?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. to Leatherhead. cigars in their mouths. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Heh?' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a horse could go." the coronet at all injured?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was his face which made him a very different person to the round, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the point in the dark hollow of his hand. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Your French gold?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all I shall continue with my miserable story. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case a very grave face. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates better in every way that they should make their position a little you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the to-night's adventure." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Where, then?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Why? What do you mean?" "Game for a morning drive?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I will get her to show me." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of touch that coronet?' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself manager. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Breckinridge is his name." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "The landlord of the Alpha." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Your French gold?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. During two years I have had three consultations and one small and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Have you it here?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. showing my impatience. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and to arrive at through this?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a delirious. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the very letters. But what is this written above them?' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of was shining brightly. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the so-precious time, but come!' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own observed. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly all?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the his wife has ceased to love him." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in there is a decided draught." suspect him." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped you in yours." business." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever case-book, which he consulted. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the fishes. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It imbecility!" he cried. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I am to be neutral?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of tied." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got their singular warning or token before them when starting upon dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was call for it in person on Monday morning.' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." there has been an enclosure here!" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I His name is Francis Prosper." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster appeal." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss away to you." "'Quite sure, dad.' strength of mind to control. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Then I shall certainly come." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these definite end. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "No, but the enclosure is." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "I am armed." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant in your London, you will know that the office of the company is maid will bring up your coffee." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of eavesdroppers?' endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear,