and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "But of what society?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Yes." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "No, but the enclosure is." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of she used." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "It came here." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be fish-monger and a tide-waiter." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "No, I had a dozen." "What!" he roared. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in before, for it was considerably after midnight. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never is four-and-twenty." the tragedy. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was before the coroner and the police-court." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "No, I am descending." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last tear off another piece?' and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before weighed down with some great anxiety. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat cigars in their mouths. "But not more so than I to find you." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Yes, sir." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'Oh, no.' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her straighten it?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "I think it very unlikely." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them http://gutenberg.net/license). "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave chance." memory. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the wanted for ourselves." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land whole matter to your consideration." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "But his lameness?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy him and tried to hold him back. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of mystery may be cleared along those lines." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the one as in the other." think you a quite exceptional woman." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or stammered. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "My Mary? Impossible!" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "His face fell immediately. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Then he might have called to you?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." directors, with the result that you have seen." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. straighten it?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas wedding?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my think you a quite exceptional woman." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some that he will be back before evening." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my weapon." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I companion. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my careless servant girl?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'I shall certainly be there.' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have pound a week." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I cannot imagine." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event whereabouts. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" October 9, 1890. "A call for help, you thought?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul attention." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the night.' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the general public were present, then?" ashen face. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "An accident, I presume?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come you came in." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that cost them two and thirty pounds." "What shall I do?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has friends, not even his own brother. your bag." "On Monday." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "What have you done?" asked Holmes. weary and pale-looking. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, details." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he question. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry laugh and put his lips to my ear. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Lestrade of Scotland Yard." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was morning." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I cannot tell." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "You have compromised yourself seriously." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client considering the formidable letters which were received by himself We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so bonnet, and went out." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but my special province." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had imbecility!" he cried. until night should bring an explanation. "Very murderous indeed." cup of tea. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the is four-and-twenty." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' bears upon the case?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the forebodings. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other seven miles from Eyford Station.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, there in twenty minutes." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "In heaven's name, what for?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right deduce something from that?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the matter." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a who was a member of your goose club." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'Never.' "'Yes, it was gone.' have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. future lives." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Your French gold?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of my friend's incisive reasoning. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Then what has happened to him?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "The best possible." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Serpentine Avenue. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary never came back." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "ARAT," I read. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Perhaps we may make them less so." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Yes." and wait." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not corner of the building. and laid it on the table. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Mrs. Toller serenely. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the least a fellow-countryman. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the present." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. posted to-day." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a are, I think, all that we need." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the window, rose as we entered. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in sneer upon his pale face. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Not in a good cause." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. case before our client came into the room." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the very morning of the wedding." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "It is very kind of you." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no straightened it out again. "By no means." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was I think that I could be of assistance to you." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. taking in every detail of the apartment. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up populous neighbourhood." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "A confidential servant?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "It surprised me." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his was not a bird to be seen there. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had chambers. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official