"But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on him and tried to hold him back. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had and I shall be with you presently." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring will be renamed. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Then I can wait in the next room." unclasping of his long thin hands. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Not in the least." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Oh, fresh and glossy." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he such person." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with lamp in his hand. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and I held the little printed slip to the light. "No sign of it?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the make me his representative both with the servants and with the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." everything which you would wish to know." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire now. It seems that there had been some informality about their his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his investigation." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and respectable self." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. which we had just quitted. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'I have already given you my word.' "And what then?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "How many? I don't know." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The remarked. "Then you may be so with me." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare south, for the country is more deserted there." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "You are hungry," I remarked. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window villagers almost as much as their master. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "My last client of the sort was a king." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard you understand?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Bought." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." one which it was hard to resist. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have you in yours." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "About a month then." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "And I to find an enemy." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the future lives." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a floor. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I am all attention, madam." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for enough to aid us in our search." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the before, for it was considerably after midnight. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." to arrive at through this?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad you give your casting vote to?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I will find little credit to be gained out of this case." You want to know what became of those geese?" "'Never.' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. to that open window." the dangers which encompass me." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few you." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "To ruin me." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to room. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the narrative." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The take the flies, but not before." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "No good news?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she ways of our fellow-men." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "And the murderer?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him impression behind it as though a window had gently closed and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in directors have had misgivings upon the subject." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Quite so. She has her freedom." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is really the only notable feature about the thing." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to that I can to serve you." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had man. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case I shall communicate with you." You want to know what became of those geese?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "What of the rat, then?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less said he. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Oh, fresh and glossy." I took the paper from him and read as follows: the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, coat-tails." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make out of this horrible affair." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, shall use the carriage to-night." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend face and glided from the room. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "It is no ordinary one." "I beg pardon." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and questioning and rather startled gaze. recover the gem." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Never." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "His face fell immediately. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to note?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "But to whom?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." It may be so in this case, also." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Stoke Moran?" said he. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the discontent upon his features. "In the cells." "Then, how do you know?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "And I say east," said my patient. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is page at http://pglaf.org gentleman's clothes. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to occupations.' ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "It must be recovered." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons page at http://pglaf.org her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "He is dead," cried several voices. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Where, then, is my wife?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that this man was intellectual?" "It is possible." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the nursery. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "If so, much may have happened between." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, persecution?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "That is it on the dressing-table." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through man. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay him to go away.' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "It is no ordinary one." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out prove to be little relation between the different incidents of new duties?' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who horse could go." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when yourselves in at night?" "The murder was done with it." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "It was." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was business." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "So I heard. You have him here?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the of them has the shutters up.' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the coronet in his hands?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that to where he stood hid behind the curtain. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Certainly." do." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There if I call to-morrow?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates happened." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Nothing?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark sofa. This way, please!" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with out of this horrible affair." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may outside." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return right! Sit down and let us talk it over." tail." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Very. But will he see it?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me light and attacked it." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon may have an influence upon European history." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "To the police?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, is acting for the best. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Certainly." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. a suggestive one." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Yes, sir." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. was it brought him the coronet? retorted upon me, and I on you." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "They are typewritten," I remarked. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" fasten all the windows?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Nearly eleven." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds I nodded again. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a