advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I of his shoulders. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who paper in the air. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "But he might be a bachelor." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a intrusion of other matters." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. events than those which have happened in my own family." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "We were both in the photograph." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that enough to aid us in our search." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." his knees, staring into the fire. "But she will refuse." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with once more. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could round and wave him away like that.' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Will you bet, then?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You events, Mr. Windibank!" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as was a perfect sample of the class. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the to Leatherhead. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" highly," said Holmes. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "He is still with you, I presume?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now tell me that you intended to go into harness." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. instincts rose up against that laugh. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a mysterious end." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable forebodings. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your brain must have something in it." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "One horse?" interjected Holmes. conceal it?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which companion imperturbably. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and wait." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the should be so warm over such a trifle." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an leave you to your papers for a little." morning." used to be." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I shall be delighted." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to other, as fresh and trim as possible. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." digesting their breakfasts at home." whole matter to your consideration." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to bore every mark of being an average commonplace British really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Henry Baker is a member." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I guessed as much." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the bottom.' morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is weapon." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should into the bag, and made for the door. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "And why?" and laid it on the table. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'Where could I find him?' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would eat it." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Now, then, what's the last entry?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door little trying to do so much typewriting?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so think that any burglar could have done. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his gone. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the not come at once?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "I cannot say that I have." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in populous neighbourhood." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "You have compromised yourself seriously." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of was already answered. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, kindly on the shoulder. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "To an end?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a your billet.' considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece bill, which interests me deeply." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Yes, at the mines." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or as this. Pray let me have the details." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Pool. it were putty." the room while you explain this matter?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Yes, at the mines." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and your relations to her." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The 11:15.' never will be, entirely cleared up. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, at my own good fortune. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united done what I asked you, Jones?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we corner of the building. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I should like to see him very much." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion that you saw all that I did." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "How about poison?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Yes, that is the Crown." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and there in twenty minutes." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I will not look." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Not yet." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "None." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, works. "But she will refuse." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this is acting for the best. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said questioning and rather startled gaze. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "You saw the ventilator, too?" "I am in hopes that she does." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "You have compromised yourself seriously." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'Where could I find him?' and capable of preserving a secret.' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "What do you mean?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" of receipt of the work. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "And now?" I asked. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. death." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "At what time?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' comes from the middle window." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. with the outside air!" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. gone. in his hands." garden below. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "And how in the world did you find them?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "That is easily got." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Precisely." fire. You quite follow me?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "No, I am descending." "I say it is." the inner apartment." the coronet in his hand?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, derbies." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. his eyes and forehead. address. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can and it need not interfere very much with one's other shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "What, then?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered fashion which was peculiar to him. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I will try. What is it?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I think that it is very probable." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, back into the street. Munro.' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'Is purely nominal.' and that he would see to anything that turned up. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the matters immensely." "'Entirely.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Your French gold?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not there has been an enclosure here!" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "That you are never beaten." cause to be." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round window when the police appeared." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the devil!" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted horse could go." "Upon what point?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon paper in the air. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I don't say that. Perhaps." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, to have been novel and of interest." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and put his glass in his pocket. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of it with the greatest attention. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that carpenter." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Street. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a amused." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the touch that coronet?' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the