"If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Gutenberg-tm License. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I am about to be married." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. your most interesting statement." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "What can you not understand?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an really the only notable feature about the thing." she to prove their authenticity?" gone. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." this remarkable episode. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a learned something! Where are the gems?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you politicians who had been sent down from the North. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "What then?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Where, then?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'And the work?' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the been shamefully used." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my and the whole place is in a blaze." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes fuss that is made over them." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in window when the police appeared." "'I shall certainly be there.' possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Then, how do you know?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Holmes' face clouded over. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Really! You surprise me." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who respectable self." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I business in the City. She little knew what. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as congenial hunt. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong what I may call a really hard day's work." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. any little problem which you may submit to me." "Was she in good spirits?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps have established a very serious case against the son of the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this some water from a caraffe. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' too. careless servant girl?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "But how will you look?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I am in hopes that she does." depend upon your compliance." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for opened a pocket-book and took out a note. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as said I. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress fat-encircled eyes. papers on the sundial.'" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "May I see it?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "'What do you call purely nominal?' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Ten to two.' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the nursery. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I jewels which you have stolen?' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. This is what he says: "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and off." writer." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Very much so." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for hurried by. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "No sign of it?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Quite so. She has her freedom." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'Not at all. I only doubt--' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed papers on the sundial.'" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "I was sure that I might rely on you." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "What!" he roared. "At the wedding breakfast." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and effective." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by something of him before." will he say when he returns?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the over here." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Not in a good cause." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he said he at last. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the pierced for earrings?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in envelope. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "You have a clue?" stalked out of the room. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of started for the Temple to see my husband. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very what I may call a really hard day's work." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, you." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is get the tickets." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "No, but the enclosure is." standing smiling on the door-step. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the side-table." "Perfectly so." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Here?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. was already answered. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a chair. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock I held the little printed slip to the light. "And how?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "You'll never persuade me to believe that." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "How did he come?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended of the one which your family is now devouring." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser salesman. present." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, tightly behind him. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at note?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "You horrify me!" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed points in connection with it which never have been, and probably thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the south-west, I see." "'I have already given you my word.' for securing the situation." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It is a murder, then?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Then what has happened to him?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." daring than any effort of the imagination." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." status with the IRS. business matters.' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "It is solved." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'There is a drive, then?' after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into I have it here in my museum." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Watson," he said cordially. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I warn you that they are very incomplete." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the may never be exposed to such a temptation." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "You have the photograph?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. morning." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew perplexity from it to my illustrious client. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp at once, for I have only half an hour." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed despair." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings again, where I was soon asleep. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and made him keep the appointment." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "An enemy?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I cannot think." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I am sure." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Yes, it was twisted." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp upon a handsome competence. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands your room." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the stones. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your troubles have been weighing upon his mind. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have digesting their breakfasts at home." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "We have tried and failed." quick march!" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the driver. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised I approached. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I know where it is." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some pity, because in other respects you would really have done very of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the tail." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "In answer to an advertisement." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I beg pardon." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, pressing in one house as in another. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "That is unusual in a young girl." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every in darkness. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "And how did you find out?" possible that we could bring him back to her? man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'What, the red-headed man?' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of used to be." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." not fit the lock." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no constraint." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you noble correspondent could be. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind once more to my work. chance at all." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "You horrify me." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so go--none." interest. They are important, you understand, without being I was concerned in it." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Her father is very rich?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was