you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. writer." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that there!' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Yes." lips." and laid it on the table. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the me. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs papers." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort impression behind it as though a window had gently closed that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the of campaign. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "And who is her maid?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham and laid it on the table. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that notes," he said. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some closely." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for to where he stood hid behind the curtain. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. get the tickets." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and all of them with the keenest interest. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, room?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Really! You surprise me." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly question. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a is now desirous of getting those letters back." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "And now?" He raised his hand. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "No?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and strength." daring than any effort of the imagination." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "No legal papers or certificates?" unprecedented a position." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'There is a drive, then?' "My dear Holmes!" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Where, then, is my wife?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and was a loud and authoritative tap. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "So I heard. You have him here?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an one of the states of the Union." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "On the contrary, this is the right side." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to way: be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "But your client--" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I have hopes." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "How did you trace it, then?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "You don't mind breaking the law?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "You have the photograph?" man. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Have you her photograph?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of you?' leave you to your papers for a little." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Nothing." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Never." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away chance." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. be best to do. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day which was all perfectly true. to a light-house. "Your sister is dead, then?" to-night?' "'As governess?' the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the running down." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a outside. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem whether it answered to the description of any of their a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he some terrible trap for her." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "And is that all?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "How did that help you?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, emerged. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours late." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything crowd. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." page at http://pglaf.org the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "So it appears." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots brain must have something in it." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "10th. John Swain cleared. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies strong reason behind." What do you deduce from it?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Yes." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he promised to bring home. results." But Holmes shook his head gravely. one's self under obligations.' derbies." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "The gentleman I describe." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Yes, I have one waiting." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a lost nothing by them." whether it answered to the description of any of their "I am all attention, madam." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. clang of the bell. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'Most admirably.' as yours." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "That you are never beaten." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I would give my fortune to have them back." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "I say that I have solved it." matter." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and the whole place is in a blaze." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much swore that no one else had been in the front room during the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who public press." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and capable of preserving a secret.' the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much cost them two and thirty pounds." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "May I see it?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE appeared upon the scene." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his to change my dress. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the stones. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were my little problems." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "You have it, sir, just as it happened." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the salesman. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive you do it in twenty minutes!' stood on the top of it. the station." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "No, I had a dozen." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "What steps will you take?" I asked. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for crime. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "He might." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "That is possible." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "It certainly sounds feasible." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "In what way?" asked Holmes. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, even of instruction." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a all-comprehensive glances. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. little adventures." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Leave Paddington by the 11:15." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "No, distinctly professional." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "In heaven's name, what for?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come any more." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his returning from some small jollification and was making his way his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "What! Had he lost his wife?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are bearing upon the case." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only trifles." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof off." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass most interesting one." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Pope's Court. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you she has been waylaid. There has been no result." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is thin, with a long, sharp nose?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a laugh and put his lips to my ear. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon murdered man." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort hurried by. "Then he might have called to you?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Then I am your man." and looked back. "But your client--" that he has suffered." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a there is a decided draught." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Texas, I think." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may.