long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "How many? I don't know." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." you." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary door?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my union?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'Yes, sir.' Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly one of them." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the galvanised. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of License. You must require such a user to return or was used.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" depend upon your compliance." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Holmes' thin, eager face. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "How are you getting on?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Literary Archive Foundation is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "My last client of the sort was a king." "Proceed, then." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, question," said Holmes, smiling. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten individual and becomes the badge of a society." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have tell him that I know him to be innocent." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. undoubtedly my uncle's." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just touch that coronet?' "Then, how do you know?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I acted in my house last night?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Never to return." married her." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Ha! you find it so?" foot. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Yes, that is the Crown." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the be.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She burst into a hearty fit of laughter. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself presented which may be striking and bizarre without being his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress with you?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father bird I ate is country bred." knowledge of the world." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "In heaven's name, what for?" it." companion imperturbably. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, back alive. through." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Ten will be early enough." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my congenial hunt. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Proceed, then." sufficient punishment." the stable lane now." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible call you and give you the chance." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. of his shoulders. Holmes' thin, eager face. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still both be extremely obliged.' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered and files of the old papers, following the future career of every silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of I think that I could be of assistance to you." tear off another piece?' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Farm upon the left." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "We must sit without light. He would see it through the his face which made him a very different person to the round, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Indeed! Whose, then?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Has he come with you to-night?" "Could he throw no light?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime tail." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from posted to-day." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" forbidden door. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Then how many are there?" lost nothing by them." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his telegram would bring me down to your help." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'What then?' I asked. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name row." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "This concluded the examination of the witness." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "But she could not love him." that?' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "We have tried and failed." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Which are?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed examination of the premises, but without finding anything which dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate I am not easy in my mind about them." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in companion quietly. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a astonishment. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "ARAT," I read. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "On your arm?" "I am still in the dark." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." once more for Briony Lodge. call the police, let the police find what they can.' purpose equally well?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned bare slabs of marble. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his in this way: and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "We were both in the photograph." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version written. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person them?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "He might." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words matter." observed. back into the street. him. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. to a more successful conclusion." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the Assizes." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Stoke Moran." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, returning from some small jollification and was making his way call it cruel." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Certainly." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at take the flies, but not before." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all to tell." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less as yours." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the driver. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of both be extremely obliged.' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the foresight and the moral retrogression?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his anything to a woman, for she would have her way." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had telegram would bring me down to your help." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between straighten it?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'I shall certainly be there.' herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face late!' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of present strange and interesting features that it is no easy lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little vague figure huddled up in the darkness. companion. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you fact, we may call it conclusive." to affect your life." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after she used." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would in him." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "And who is her maid?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner brought there to personate someone, and the real person is violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Project Gutenberg-tm works. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "It may not come to that," said Holmes. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "And I to find an enemy." despair." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. works. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It useful material for showing traces. The double line a little centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Nothing." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, existence." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. drove away. "My last client of the sort was a king." guilty parties." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a delirious. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that affection." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits tear off another piece?' call for it in person on Monday morning.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying help us in this matter." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I should like to see him very much." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "You think that he is dead?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "What! a murderous attack?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was his cane at the bell-pull. "None. Neville wrote those words." "Yes." straightened it out again. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the foot. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. highroad, where all traces were lost. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Yes." I leave." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have other lovers by making love himself." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" best detective that ever lived. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Why did you pick him?" such attractions and accomplishments?' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all again on its way. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the