"Did your wife hear all this?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which served to weaken the effect. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of that you saw all that I did." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the little opening for the ventilator is." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey woman who has had her own way to make in the world. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and intrusion of other matters." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three foot. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he peculiar to him. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project laugh and put his lips to my ear. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Stoke Moran." to affect your life." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." you?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham to a light-house. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "He said that you could solve anything." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Nothing?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Upon what point?" what these perils are?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which is so. I know all about McCarthy." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "So I have heard." "Not particularly." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Yes, all." man. I know him from the photograph." families. Now for the facts. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he than to us. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Did you become engaged then?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. away into the river." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of mysterious end." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Clair, of Lee." "Were they all fastened this morning?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You morning." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was obstinate." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Sholtos." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "No, finished." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open brain must have something in it." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the coroner come to?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Yes, from Horsham." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without lectures into a series of tales." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "He slept on the premises." "How did you trace it, then?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the key of the affair now." and inquire as to the address." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks touch that coronet?' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the before, for it was considerably after midnight. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection you give your casting vote to?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you better in every way that they should make their position a little freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "It surprised me." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the address that was given us in the advertisement. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told indiscretion." "I know where it is." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I will try. What is it?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and This is what he says: however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "But she could not love him." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "My dear Holmes!" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES is so. I know all about McCarthy." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk least a most suspicious remark." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I would pay ten." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without since then to throw any light upon what became of him." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is just called myself is not exactly my own." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with I held the little printed slip to the light. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Chief Executive and Director pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "But not more so than I to find you." against a man in the prime of life?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was chambers. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at forecastle of an emigrant ship. how narrow had been my escape. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself straightened it out again. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Then I shall certainly come." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "My own seal." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "My dear Holmes!" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair window when the police appeared." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Heh?' month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." evidence," I remarked. in him." "Well." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our already been minutely examined." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "How on earth--" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "On Monday." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present young Openshaw's." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Holmes, the busybody!" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was of the one which your family is now devouring." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "It was." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, hardly wander." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. like gravel from a pit.' revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "What then?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Look there!" said he. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do it." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always have an American origin." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "We must sit without light. He would see it through the British peeress.'" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon attention." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I mystery may be cleared along those lines." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "It goes to the housekeeper's room." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "And you thought he was pulled back?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. maiden herself was most instructive." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it children over to America with him, so that I found myself without He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked you want, then?' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to dear old homesteads?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no in his power. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Dr. Becher's." trying to your nerves." "What then?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from it." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with emerged. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Edgeware Road. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "And did you observe any change in her then?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be article?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an may have an influence upon European history." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the matter." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman His smile broadened. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch triumphant cloud from his cigarette. always that they were such commands as a lady might with walking." "No." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his families. Now for the facts. easy-going way." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'Most admirably.' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "What steps will you take?" I asked. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Will you go?" pierced for earrings?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "This concluded the examination of the witness." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "What!" he roared. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day