McCarthy's innocence. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Of what day?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Yes." "I am in hopes that she does." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." companion. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Yes, it would be as well." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "My photograph." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and him. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Do you receive much company?" he asked. do." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being to his chemical studies. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the success. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had look upon these things in a different way." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of voice, changing her seat as requested. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged during the last few years, and there are many noble families to There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin conceal it?" made his money." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That felt?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Yes, sir.' nice household for a young lady." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune you." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "And what did you learn from him?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to wedding?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "No bad?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Very truly yours, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." second." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of dates and names. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Then I am your man." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for use an arc-and-compass breastpin." jewels which you have stolen?' laugh and put his lips to my ear. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "He said too much." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Because he was handy and would come cheap." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on second." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "I think it very unlikely." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "But she will refuse." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Two days later this same performance was gone through under equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Eyford at 11:15.' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Absolutely none." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Absolutely none." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Yes, I have one waiting." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture with you alone." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with second." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Only as much as we can deduce." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Yes, at the mines." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so of them has the shutters up.' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You are hungry," I remarked. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Nothing." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a but preventing her from injuring another. habit of advancing money.' maid will bring up your coffee." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as you in yours." "Pray do so." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "'Tell me all about it,' said I. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have over here." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "If I can be of use." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "It is possible." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I will try. What is it?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Nearly eleven." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and think that he is innocent?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of your sleep?' "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Why serious?" will he say when he returns?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is think, you have already met." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "But who is he?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'As governess?' "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Why did you pick him?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "What then?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. his wife has ceased to love him." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he come either from the window or the door. My attention was Where does the thing come from?' and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, it with his own hands." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were clang of the bell. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier help us in this matter." "Never." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which strange features which were associated with the two crimes which even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "What have you to say now?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had help us in this matter." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "She will not sell." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have morning." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of that you saw all that I did." instincts rose up against that laugh. humiliation." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a four million human beings all jostling each other within the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had them present such singular features as the strange train of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately if only as a check to my own memory." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Nothing?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll gone. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the nursery. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to hereditary King of Bohemia." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the be best to do. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside six. Come in!" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the of the way of danger. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "No." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "The best possible." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Look there!" said he. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "To an end?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and face and glided from the room. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "What! You do not mean bodies?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said she has been waylaid. There has been no result." his wife has ceased to love him." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more to take care of herself." infinite languor in his face. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, that I may have something better before very many minutes are erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up of this gang." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. strength in the others." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on you in yours." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect to-night?' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "And sit in the dark?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Yes, only one." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. even of instruction." was feeling which was the fattest.' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. like that before?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it matters immensely." I think that I could be of assistance to you." read it out to me." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'Stolen!' he cried. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. I shall communicate with you." "A client, then?" name is different." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "What shall I do?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment 1.F. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter ran thus: eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the address that was given us in the advertisement. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "No, my brougham is waiting." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. ashen face. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Yes, sir." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three past. "Dirty?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for enter into my head. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Yes." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." that I am arrested." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and presume?" "Certainly, madam." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had