corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply written, and locked the door of the office after me. have established a very serious case against the son of the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which fact, we may call it conclusive." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which she to prove their authenticity?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done helping a boy to put up the shutters. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that photograph?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for she to prove their authenticity?" here." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion burst into a hearty fit of laughter. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "So I am. Very much so." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police your most interesting statement." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the warnings." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical indeed which he could not unravel. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "And you don't know his address?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." notes," he said. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'Yes, I promise.' once more. what I may call a really hard day's work." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and your billet.' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "But he might be a bachelor." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out fat-encircled eyes. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight than was visible to me." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington along the entire front of the house, with three long windows silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his fattened it expressly for you.' there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he where she found matters as described by the last witness. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'Then let me do so?' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "I have my revolver," said I. to tackle the facts." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Well, some hundreds of times." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have pierced for earrings?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Then you may entirely rely on me." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "And Irene Adler?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "On Monday." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I will not look." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "No?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety From what you have told me I think that it is possible that morning." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Eh? What was that?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "How many? I don't know." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely been." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "And that is--" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally occurred." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I way in." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." chance at all." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the constraint." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'Ten to two.' daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no when you have done it." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia presented more singular features than that which was associated "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque trifles." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ recall any case within my experience which looked at the first out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Well?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'How far from the body?' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed drove away. "And help." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Dirty?" "'And what salary do you ask?' of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per companion imperturbably. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "But to whom?" was it brought him the coronet? his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it singular points about the case. What did the police think of the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the was lame." "It was an hour's good drive." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him seen the man in the road." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "What!" he roared. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone present." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Here?" down. with her." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me is four-and-twenty." "I cannot imagine." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which round with crates and massive boxes. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Eyford at 11:15.' crackling voice. he. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, present." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. upon the white wrist. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. lamp in his hand. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Eyford at 11:15.' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here look dissatisfied." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "VIOLET HUNTER." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. me what he had done with the three missing stones. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'What do you call purely nominal?' "He said too much." there has been an enclosure here!" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the matter." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut pound a week." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'I have already given you my word.' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from IS "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who his face. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so appointment with me for six o'clock?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Never.' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "No, I think that I'll take it." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "And how did you verify them?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible himself to tell his story. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles The note was undated, and without either signature or address. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in opened the door, and slipped through. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were delighted to hear it," he said. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Stoke Moran?" said he. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old them?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "But you can know nothing of this?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "It missed him, then?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "What are they?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other what do you think they found in the pockets?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I awkward doing business with an alias." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was call for it in person on Monday morning.' "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang photograph?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "And when will you call?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a forebodings. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our round with crates and massive boxes. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our fluttered off among the others. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. respectable self." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I was sure that I might rely on you." my friend's incisive reasoning. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Entirely." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean redistribution. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must British peeress.'" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I cannot tell." late." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of that there was nothing in it, after all." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" least a fellow-countryman. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, speckled band?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of trying to your nerves." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's events, Mr. Windibank!" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet could go. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so It may be so in this case, also." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address asked. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little if she died from some sudden fright." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Pope's Court. soul! here is her carriage at the door." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. returning from some small jollification and was making his way Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I don't say that. Perhaps." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to house for five minutes.' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us my room." Clair, of Lee." "'Yes, I promise.' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I will do it." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had been." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," keep the flames under. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that