Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without I. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and morning." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Very truly yours, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "How can you tell that?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'As governess?' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is kind enough to tell me what I should do." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and dramatic, in fact." me upon any point which I do not make clear." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "I think it very unlikely." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I am armed." "ARAT," I read. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "And why in hopes?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for meant it for the best. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming such person." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "You have a clue?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily envelope. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I sufficient punishment." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he companion. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak License. You must require such a user to return or some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be there has been an enclosure here!" "But how did you gain them?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace fatally injured? without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence unprecedented a position." national property. I was determined that the law should have its Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, writers could invent nothing more crude." father's young wife. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your other means.' delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid as yours." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," and laid it on the table. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Yes, all." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something trying to your nerves." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the never came back." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the appointment with me for six o'clock?" entirely devoid of interest." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Married! When?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' to-night." gentleman's clothes. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have James Windibank. Voilà tout!" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. and all of them with the keenest interest. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to galvanised. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Eyford." not within a twentieth part of the market price." me. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "And your mother is alive?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across she has been waylaid. There has been no result." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Mary, has deserted me." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my throat." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' colonel looking down at me. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party felt the room to be a little close.' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "And why in hopes?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. maid will bring up your coffee." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King if she died from some sudden fright." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several feature." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. sneer upon his pale face. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns this Miss Turner." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "You were travelling in the States?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near official police." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to this as likely?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or people in all walks of life. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide was it brought him the coronet? "It is solved." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Eh? What was that?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Deserted you?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." fear." "'And the work?' agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is south, for the country is more deserted there." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "But who is he?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "What is it, then--a fire?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the assist you in forming an opinion." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was better in every way that they should make their position a little stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the records." 1.E.9. "But his left-handedness." ceremony." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Literary Archive Foundation shall use the carriage to-night." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his go--none." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." was not a bird to be seen there. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Mary, has deserted me." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I was certainly surprised to find you there." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Yes. He waved his hands." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty manager. go back?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional said he, "my real name is James Ryder." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "On Monday." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window excitement. the room while you explain this matter?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as such person." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the child." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat empty. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I have hopes." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. were new raised from a basin. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' fait accompli?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in use an arc-and-compass breastpin." or in danger--" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had nothing with him." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass suspect him." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Precisely." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the dates and names. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind so far?" Heh?' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "That is unusual in a young girl." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Because he was handy and would come cheap." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, criminal. We have already had experience of such." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he matter." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague galvanised. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a that you wished to speak to me?' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away had died away into the silence from which it rose. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Bought." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless whole matter to your consideration." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is asked. that he has suffered." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I should like to see him very much." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Awake, Watson?" he asked. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "My stepfather's business papers." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I will do it." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Dirty?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Very murderous indeed." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in affection." bedroom door." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "'Yes.' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, husband's writing, madam." works. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would humiliation." "A call for help, you thought?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Nearly eleven." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get peculiar to him. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all breakfast?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our thin legs towards the fire. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think fattened it expressly for you.' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is presented more singular features than that which was associated had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us