adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Who by?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted in the dead of the night?' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'How far from the body?' with you alone." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Project Gutenberg-tm works. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. correct than the official force." all?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "To an English lawyer named Norton." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps few hundred pounds.' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his back into the street. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Doctor, of the paper and the date." suspect him." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "At half-wages, in fact." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years imbecility!" he cried. "Will you bet, then?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Pope's Court. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had on re-entering her father's house?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your tell them apart.' him nearly every evening." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to observed. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Yes. He waved his hands." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small mystery may be cleared along those lines." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. to-night?' people don't know." the King without delay." this remarkable episode. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a had this final quarrel? jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was it were putty." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "He said too much." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, directors, with the result that you have seen." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Pray be precise as to details," said he. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and to have that photograph." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Will you bet, then?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is man. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away at home. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be me upon any point which I do not make clear." of campaign. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "At the wedding breakfast." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for But Holmes shook his head gravely. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you very peculiar words of the dying woman?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. both be extremely obliged.' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the morning and make my own way in the world.' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his morning." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. into the room. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a very morning of my second wedding." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the other lovers by making love himself." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots his eyes and forehead. "Thank you. Pray proceed." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. highroad, where all traces were lost. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the King without delay." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid business." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Never." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each one else, I think." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' in this way: James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Where is it, then?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age derbies." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the warnings." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," whole matter to your consideration." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial know all about it," he snarled. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! up this clue while it is still hot." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in foot. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the general public were present, then?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has with her." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "And Miss Sutherland?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me society." your billet.' kindly on the shoulder. "But we can't all be." clang of the bell. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may bearing upon the case." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "But she will refuse." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Do you know him?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the very morning of the wedding." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. became a certainty. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." present." I took the paper from him and read as follows: distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Then I am your man." "You will not go there first?" "That's no good." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, that there was nothing in it, after all." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be undoubtedly my uncle's." south, for the country is more deserted there." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." tied." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of our word." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely locked. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." your billet.' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "My own seal." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "But how will you look?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Did you become engaged then?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'Certainly,' I answered. he. "And that is--" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I cannot say that I have." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "That sounds a little paradoxical." come either from the window or the door. My attention was We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town derbies." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to despaired of." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was have I gained?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, reach." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the coroner come to?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Stolen." Leadenhall Street--and--" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the brain must have something in it." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a my secret was safe in his possession. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard footfalls from the street. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally be.' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "So it appears." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Yes." For additional contact information: to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this details." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of I have it here in my museum." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "What shall I do?" "It must be recovered." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary flock.' "I say that I have solved it." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "They are typewritten," I remarked. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Nothing." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between situation." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "No more words. Get out!" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and this remarkable episode. that he will be back before evening." the little opening for the ventilator is." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess you in yours." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "You have but to name it." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in guilty parties." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the be best to do. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the once more. what is your own theory as to what took place?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged