its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad is four-and-twenty." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I think that I had better go, Holmes." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to some other building. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Very much so." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Never." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the clanging. husband's writing, madam." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" in darkness. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I have a cab outside." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." some terrible trap for her." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for towards the blaze. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." such person." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it was lame." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Yes?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He with the outside air!" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "There is the writing." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "You have compromised yourself seriously." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'I have heard so.' will not take me long to tell. her also." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our round with crates and massive boxes. look upon these things in a different way." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for interested in these little problems, and since you are good We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the coronet in his hands?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Yes, I have one waiting." unclasping of his long thin hands. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child to tackle the facts." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here read it out to me." promised to bring home. "Perhaps we may make them less so." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There if I call to-morrow?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "But you have hopes?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella at home. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "By no means." writers could invent nothing more crude." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb I leave." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old bore every mark of being an average commonplace British intrusion of other matters." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said fat-encircled eyes. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had dates and names. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Where, then?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "A client, then?" "Yes, it was twisted." it with his own hands." despair." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Then you may entirely rely on me." II. "And why?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing overpowering excitement and concern. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New from you?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "They are typewritten," I remarked. wedding?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "And help." hurried by. "He disappeared so suddenly." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a crime. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." depend upon your compliance." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs as he folded up the epistle. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, been shamefully used." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Street. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was families. Now for the facts. as he folded up the epistle. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "9th. McCauley cleared. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch there were so many in the whole country as were brought together My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a events, Mr. Windibank!" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to singular points about the case. What did the police think of the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in questionable one." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they power." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are test if we have an answer to our advertisement." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre that you wished to speak to me?' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this status with the IRS. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Pray do so." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible prepare for the new role I have to play." an introduction to him?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed now. It seems that there had been some informality about their and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you prison!" and all of them with the keenest interest. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom details." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her morning." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "I am about to be married." "May I see it?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Stoke Moran?" said he. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, way in." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Gutenberg-tm License. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to been." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the should be taken.' you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "And your father? Did you tell him?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon whether it answered to the description of any of their centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your article?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was his wife has ceased to love him." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and upon the sideboard." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a must be when I saw the door open.' "On Monday." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it appointment with me for six o'clock?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "No sign of it?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Not in the least." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Witness: Nothing definite. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said your own bird, so if you wish--" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, read it out to me." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the iron safe, which he closed upon it. interests were the same as his." "'I am sure if I had known--' walking." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I never have." correct than the official force." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, evidence," I remarked. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "It was." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Was there a secret marriage?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing with the outside air!" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I see no marks." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "You don't mind breaking the law?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a prison!" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we again on its way. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their you?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring observed. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double fat-encircled eyes. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent yet." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my him!" status with the IRS. yards of it?' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this formed some opinion?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was goes." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'About the same.' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring have established a very serious case against the son of the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it these bleak autumnal evenings." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "And how did you find out?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Well, it is a possible supposition." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave make me his representative both with the servants and with the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery to-night?" I asked. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this with the outside air!" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. I shall continue with my miserable story. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Married! When?" best detective that ever lived. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with train.'