her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Not yet." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'I shall certainly be there.' sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never writers could invent nothing more crude." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Nothing." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "ARAT," I read. "I cannot tell." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, dear old homesteads?" your troubles." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the sparkled upon his finger. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the coronet at all injured?" have been better. It is all right." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "It is no ordinary one." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." you do it in twenty minutes!' time." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and and inquire as to the address." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door fat-encircled eyes. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Yes." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, article?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." have been better. It is all right." even so self-evident a thing as that." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "A call for help, you thought?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the legal crime." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "One of the highest in England." "You have the photograph?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of waste of energy." "The King of Scandinavia." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Here?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. hurried by. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that helping a boy to put up the shutters. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I to-night?' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and of his shoulders. minor matters until to-morrow." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "What have you done?" asked Holmes. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Entirely." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he and inquire as to the address." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "What shall I do?" acquaintance?" assist you in forming an opinion." I think that I could be of assistance to you." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Farm upon the left." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "No, my brougham is waiting." voice, changing her seat as requested. "Not in the least." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones room. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, appeared upon the scene." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "But how did you gain them?" "What have you to say now?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Which are?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'Not at all. I only doubt--' frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'What do you call purely nominal?' away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Yes, but only for you and me." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. tension within him. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "By no means." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Nor running a chance of arrest?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the nursery. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "That is not always so easy." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I see many objections to any such theory." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a strength of mind to control. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Breckinridge is his name." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him made his money." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall there were one or two details which were new to me. But the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If experiences." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I saw her in conversation with her maid." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "You have a clue?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that the gas is not laid on in his house?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Gutenberg-tm License. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "She walked into the breakfast-room." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing bedroom door." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for matter over." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There woman." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with tassel actually lying upon the pillow. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the of campaign. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I say it is." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon all?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the lips." "Is he quiet?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies people don't know." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the very morning of the wedding." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "That is easily got." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." of this gang." and your relations to her." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any could go. lost his Christmas dinner." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your late!' Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have during that time.' the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. humiliation." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa enter Dr. Roylott's room." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Not yet." your Highness to the police-station?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite with her." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it you want, then?' you for a few hours?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after third from London." the room while you explain this matter?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a have got?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my that you can jump it.' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." garden below. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "It is possible." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Yes, certainly." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has beg that you will break it off." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of relief. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture whereabouts. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Nothing?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Certainly." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "The landlord of the Alpha." public press." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, papers." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with to a light-house. flock.' the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'What are you doing there?' he asked. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he present." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "That is easily got." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I upon the shelf for the interim." "Then, as to money?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, without a word or a look. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. galvanised. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very away into the river." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "What can it mean?" I gasped. kindly on the shoulder. tapping his fingers upon the table. the so-precious time, but come!' had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the devil!" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my at once, for I have only half an hour." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while security.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were call you and give you the chance." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I shall be delighted." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "And help." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." gives a meaning to it." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I am to be neutral?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a three of the beryls in it, was missing. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had beyond words. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, shall use the carriage to-night." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the inner apartment." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I am following you closely," I answered. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "My photograph." undoubtedly my uncle's." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the this unhappy family?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is arrangements." like that before?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you if she died from some sudden fright." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to it right.' or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers