where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Certainly, madam." be.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler that I can to serve you." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is until night should bring an explanation. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project criminal. We have already had experience of such." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. both be extremely obliged.' pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "An enemy?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and rat could hardly pass through." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the dangers which encompass me." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we an introduction to him?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I have hopes." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. other, as fresh and trim as possible. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of for and were ordered to this address. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, an introduction to him?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Then how many are there?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the society." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, you?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "It missed him, then?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Mrs. Toller serenely. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He past. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand such person." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we weighed down with some great anxiety. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few is," said he presently: "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the coroner come to?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Where, then?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "By train from Waterloo." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the an introduction to him?" http://www.gutenberg.net "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the night.' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the date of his supposed suicide." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "She will not sell." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I writer." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "The Cedars?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "But you can know nothing of this?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." ready to-morrow?' Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Here?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Certainly." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five me. You must get home instantly and act." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "My photograph." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "One?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Here?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon see me here to avoid scandal." "It is solved." to tackle the facts." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master McCarthy." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and have this put in the evening papers." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips to some other building. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer all?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "They are typewritten," I remarked. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to it." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Could he throw no light?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a might have a private word with us. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the tension within him. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "No." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of letters?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be I was concerned in it." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions will he say when he returns?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of in darkness. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked said I. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of papers must be those that are destroyed.' "It is a murder, then?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "And now?" I asked. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A towards the blaze. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your promised to bring home. papers diligently of late, have you not?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you DAMAGE. "Yes." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Witness: I must still refuse. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "In heaven's name, what for?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "A client, then?" "He is dead," cried several voices. "She will not sell." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "And leave your case unfinished?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility me." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "But your client--" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all look dissatisfied." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "About a month then." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "But you have hopes?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Ample." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Her father is very rich?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in will find little credit to be gained out of this case." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your the little opening for the ventilator is." formed some opinion?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, sake, don't!" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" for securing the situation." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." should be so warm over such a trifle." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of digesting their breakfasts at home." "But how?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared late." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most problems help me to do so." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "And what did you learn from him?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Mrs. Toller serenely. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." signal between you and your father? The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father is," said he presently: said I. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "No legal papers or certificates?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "It is possible." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the neither fascinating nor artistic." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother on in his house." to talk it over. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been dramatic, in fact." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. garden below. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over The note was undated, and without either signature or address. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "I don't say that. Perhaps." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have The events in question occurred in the early days of my every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at key turn in the lock." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "She told me to ask you." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser to change my dress. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'And the work?' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm business." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Really! You surprise me." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better coat-tails." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days know all about it," he snarled. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "But how?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his your room." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Will you go?" fact, we may call it conclusive." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, voice. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their think that he is innocent?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Imitated." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." IS "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what my secret was safe in his possession. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my quite distinctive." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the bottom.' my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the King without delay." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in crowd. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. derbies." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I would give my fortune to have them back." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few problems help me to do so." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the test if we have an answer to our advertisement."