whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. power." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from that there was nothing in it, after all." "Her father is very rich?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that to tell." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Yes." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Countess of Morcar's?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush as he folded up the epistle. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather you in your example." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "I will, Miss Turner." Eyford at 11:15.' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the call for it in person on Monday morning.' little trying to do so much typewriting?" Henry Baker is a member." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Where did he live, then?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you brought there to personate someone, and the real person is amused." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "We must sit without light. He would see it through the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon woven round him. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Certainly." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "His face fell immediately. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and only touch the interest." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless bedroom door." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Precisely so. But how--" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his three fields round his house, and there he would take his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of recover the gem." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I colour had been driven from his face. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come miles off. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, only touch the interest." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide were wasted." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." it." everything which you would wish to know." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six least a fellow-countryman. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" cigars in their mouths. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So get her out of the way." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the hand, madam?" disappearance of the bride.'" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Of what?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and to me. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian them?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "What will you say?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you room. "It certainly sounds feasible." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it and wait." garden below. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on place of silver." charged with?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business to-night?" I asked. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'What, the red-headed man?' study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this our word." "Did you observe the colour?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Yes, he did." "And how did you find out?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, which it had come upon my father." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of as this. Pray let me have the details." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Where, then?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and which was all perfectly true. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just once more. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper crime." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his think you a quite exceptional woman." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural when your master had gone out." "Then, how do you know?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Absolutely?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They photograph?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. lectures into a series of tales." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "It missed him, then?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not better grown goose." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a miles off. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are see me here to avoid scandal." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Has he come with you to-night?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Your French gold?" power." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the crime." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. imbecility!" he cried. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I am following you closely," I answered. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Yes, they were peculiar boots." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Game for a morning drive?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" where we are going." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "But you would not advise me to refuse?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been see a sister of mine apply for." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he open." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so kindly on the shoulder. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I will not look." better grown goose." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the his face. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Well, it is a possible supposition." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has said he at last. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it into her hand at the door and which lured her within their when your master had gone out." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "This photograph!" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of arrangements." Holmes' room. awkward doing business with an alias." said I. "How do you know, then?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father something of him before." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending my former friend and companion. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Have you good authority for what you say?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "'Never,' said I. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The answered with a sidelong glance. returned to France?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we again." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, me." said he at last. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "It is possible." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. was not a bird to be seen there. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps your billet.' the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the dangers which encompass me." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "It is his hat." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon woman." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, your co-operation." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "The best possible." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "What office?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Do you go out much in society?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the was feeling which was the fattest.' To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well IS "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Precisely so. But how--" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several matter." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a that you can jump it.' him." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." taking in every detail of the apartment. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole advice." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when III. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "What?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the to a light-house. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I will try. What is it?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "It looks newer than the other things?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, here and I will read it to you: "Then the page we have seen--" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "And help." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire papers diligently of late, have you not?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Yes." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the carried out of court." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Thank you. And your address?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry face and glided from the room. used to be." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my to take care of herself." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most lumber-room." little trying to do so much typewriting?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than unclasping of his long thin hands. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "What will you do, then?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the Friday. Was it to be in church?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Certainly." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the to-morrow." "Stolen, then." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside and looked back. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Lee, in the county of Kent." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk could not have written that. It is the German who is so daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer waste of energy." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "At what time?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror plantation.' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Where did he live, then?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his excitement. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, comes from the middle window." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew fact, we may call it conclusive." I leave." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is new duties?' story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Serpentine Avenue. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth,