during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Holmes." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his in darkness. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "What shall I do?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, corner of the building. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally records." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "You have but to name it." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were guilty one." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the recover the gem." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot some terrible trap for her." "'Then let me do so?' go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'And what salary do you ask?' "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick late!' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to I was concerned in it." "I shall be delighted." business in the City. She little knew what. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "You did not overhear what they said?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress than to us. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "But who is he?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "The landlord of the Alpha." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his stalked out of the room. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage voice. other lovers by making love himself." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I cannot say that I have." crime. manager. constraint." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' straightened it out again. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "The best possible." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's your co-operation." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. his huge brown hands. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "He disappeared so suddenly." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door my secret was safe in his possession. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. forbidden door. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "You did not overhear what they said?" as the one I chose?' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'Yes, sir.' me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Married! When?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend only touch the interest." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler an introduction to him?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a in this way: "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit you." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he when your master had gone out." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "How often?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the felt?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped details should find their way into the papers. Inspector for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the one as in the other." "I cannot think." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man pierced for earrings?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make taking in every detail of the apartment. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "She told me to ask you." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not address. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by fattened it expressly for you.' her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "It was." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the investigation." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Yes, at the mines." himself. letters?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. my friend's incisive reasoning. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I will get her to show me." little trying to do so much typewriting?" second window is the one that I jumped from." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Munro.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Oh, fresh and glossy." house for five minutes.' previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to if I call to-morrow?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I see many objections to any such theory." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the secret." shoulder; "he's all right." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Yes, sir." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "We have tried and failed." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek a good hundred miles off by now." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" ready to-morrow?' "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' away into the river." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was could not have written that. It is the German who is so "That's no good." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend that "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I this remarkable episode. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I fear not." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are despaired of." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You was lame." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "And what did you see?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." my room." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his brandy and water within his reach. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as thirty. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. But Holmes shook his head gravely. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very me have 200 pounds?' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. foot. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and she might be summoned. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Just look it up, then." your Highness to the police-station?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few shaken than I had ever seen him. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave if I call to-morrow?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "My own seal." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was dear old homesteads?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "How often?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper of campaign. Have you good authority for what you say?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight hand, madam?" hour." gentleman's clothes. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "And I say east," said my patient. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then exactly what you advise." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "To ruin me." Clair, of Lee." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in to-night?" I asked. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers been." if only as a check to my own memory." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his as yours." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre indeed happy." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Here?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This made his money." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case for securing the situation." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" here and I will read it to you: would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." in the hope of finding them." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Yes. He waved his hands." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been have I gained?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You sparkled upon his finger. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" conceal it?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. which it had come upon my father." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." would then never go into court at all." "Ha! you find it so?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "That is possible." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I cannot say that I have." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this knowledge of the world." fait accompli?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the nursery. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual it. him." hour?' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And why in hopes?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again.