"'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty shoulder; "he's all right." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark people don't know." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with I took the paper from him and read as follows: foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a points to suicide?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few interest. They are important, you understand, without being Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'Certainly,' I answered. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel better in every way that they should make their position a little in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "He is dead," cried several voices. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. McCarthy's innocence. there!' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Texas, I think." fat-encircled eyes. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, weighed down with some great anxiety. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek this remarkable episode. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond details should find their way into the papers. Inspector finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." returning from some small jollification and was making his way way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with to a more successful conclusion." "'Then let me do so?' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, know what is wrong with it.' Lee, in the county of Kent." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "You were travelling in the States?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "What then?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "It is possible." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "By train from Waterloo." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "It came here." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let she slowly sank and died without having recovered her came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might way: "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square lids now and glanced across at his visitor. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do read it out to me." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Does that suggest anything?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "But she will refuse." come either from the window or the door. My attention was news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' have got?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and his face. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "How did that help you?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Dr. Gregory B. Newby anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the visitors." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had was not a bird to be seen there. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "That sounds a little paradoxical." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing four million human beings all jostling each other within the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their tapping his fingers upon the table. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'What then?' I asked. "On your arm?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon showing my impatience. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Yes." to you." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a tear off another piece?' but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change in. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'How far from the body?' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "You forget that I know nothing about it." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this think you a quite exceptional woman." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. hour." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "What! You do not mean bodies?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "My stepfather's business papers." been deceived." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Did he not advertise?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, you do it in twenty minutes!' Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of them?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I saw her in conversation with her maid." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. question. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must ran thus: "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "But she could not love him." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "No, thank goodness, she did not." cigars in the box." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom McCarthy's innocence. look upon these things in a different way." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. his forehead." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Nothing." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, excitement. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present what these perils are?" that he will be back before evening." October 9, 1890. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "At what time?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and pierced for earrings?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it who was a member of your goose club." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier children over to America with him, so that I found myself without PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage sake, don't!" "You have but to name it." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I cannot think." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to into the room. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my time." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the south-west, I see." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used least a most suspicious remark." Eyford." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The good for you to do.' breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "And you can do nothing until then?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you was a lad." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "It is very clear." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "So I am. Very much so." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" you, my dear young lady?' his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I will not look." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was me. You must get home instantly and act." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set happened." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Not him." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "My photograph." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "ARAT," I read. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "In San Francisco, a year ago." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin you do it in twenty minutes!' "What steps will you take?" I asked. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." constraint." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "'A dozen yards or so.' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows friends, not even his own brother. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the tell him that I know him to be innocent." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his tell him that I know him to be innocent." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as have an American origin." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point signal between you and your father? what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have words came to my lips. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for upon a handsome competence. companion imperturbably. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Holmes' room. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with forbidden door. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have it means?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but deduce something from that?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." or other trace. But how on earth--" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I I took the paper from him and read as follows: immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting my special province." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "What can it mean?" I gasped. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "When did it break out?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. The summons was a brief and urgent one. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax my special province." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "No more words. Get out!" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the husband's writing, madam." "But what harm can there be in that?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Perfectly so." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." affair. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. in his hands." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, he. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank The events in question occurred in the early days of my "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Certainly." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the