photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate careless servant girl?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall vault. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to ran thus: "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I who was a member of your goose club." could go. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "What are they?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'Oh, no.' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and his face. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Always." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the warnings." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in never to learn it at all." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for into her hand at the door and which lured her within their corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I am in hopes that she does." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have with the outside air!" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the Red-headed League." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I would pay ten." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to with her." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'No, I know no one in these parts.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. attention." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "You saw the ventilator, too?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Here?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Do you go out much in society?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out dead, shall be safe with us." "'Yes.' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Yes." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely pierced for earrings?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "But how?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, second." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from easy-going way." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "The Coroner: What do you mean? which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge most important business. It is probable that he will be away all about. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Miss Holder?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At character. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Why did you beat the pavement?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in his cane at the bell-pull. tail." remarked. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather my special province." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us there in twenty minutes." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It were new raised from a basin. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "It is very clear." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded affair. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There carriage. It was a chestnut." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the despair." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not said he at last. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." asked with his eyes open. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I cost them two and thirty pounds." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four did not hear it also.' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature telegram would bring me down to your help." to surprise her." something of him before." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is crackling voice. sneer upon his pale face. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire never came back." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Yes, the wine-cellar." Count Von Kramm." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Did he not advertise?" "A client, then?" Again Holmes raved in the air. sufficient punishment." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had their singular warning or token before them when starting upon seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or remarked. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be vault. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" this Miss Turner." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or a very grave face. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily papers." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had little adventures." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." you, my dear young lady?' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, article?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Come in!" said he. you understand?" drove away. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the her also." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to with you alone." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "He might." hopeless attempt at recovering them." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Yes." Does that suggest anything?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. 11:15.' "His face fell immediately. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "You have carte blanche." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, is worth.' to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Pray do so." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some present strange and interesting features that it is no easy him and tried to hold him back. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'Most admirably.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "And how?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss putting in the horse. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up not personally threatened." companion imperturbably. husband's writing, madam." "And how did you find out?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "What!" he roared. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "I came to find a friend." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, on in his house." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to late." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at direction." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Have you her photograph?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "What! Had he lost his wife?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, McCarthy." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or manager. "And I to find an enemy." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was carriage. It was a chestnut." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is narrative." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed to arrive at through this?" sneer upon his pale face. maiden herself was most instructive." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern disturbance in my wife." sufficient punishment." in him." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your October 9, 1890. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I should like to see him very much." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. in this note: people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which nothing of it?" upon a handsome competence. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in indeed which he could not unravel. papers on the sundial.'" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "He might." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. may have an influence upon European history." "In what way?" asked Holmes. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. these bleak autumnal evenings." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. little trying to do so much typewriting?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall think you a quite exceptional woman." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely status with the IRS. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of fasten all the windows?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the nursery. done what I asked you, Jones?" "And how in the world did you find them?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Why? What do you mean?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Yes, sir." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' him nearly every evening." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The gives a meaning to it." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "That is possible." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a learned something! Where are the gems?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Have you it here?" fluttered off among the others. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the in the dead of the night?' "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and