at my remark. that you wished to speak to me?' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with unprofitable." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Certainly." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." to-night." go--none." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of floor. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should had died away into the silence from which it rose. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was may have an influence upon European history." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Won't it ring?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray conversation I have gathered that they have been married about dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never you give your casting vote to?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman fasten all the windows?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to his wife has ceased to love him." "Did he not advertise?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I important." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when your Highness to the police-station?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men strode off upon his way. "None." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would father's place of business?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "In which, sir?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I events than those which have happened in my own family." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and of the vacancies.' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Was she in good spirits?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that know what is wrong with it.' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, made him keep the appointment." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as fled together." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Yes." of the way of danger. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." with you?" "The gentleman I describe." "You have compromised yourself seriously." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. your co-operation." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to chemical work which was so dear to him. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce http://www.gutenberg.net "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, his forehead." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man you." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, narrative." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood emerged. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' cause to be." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. how narrow had been my escape. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your bonnet, and went out." Mrs. Toller serenely. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Frequently." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the there." woman." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'Certainly not.' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. if she died from some sudden fright." my friend's incisive reasoning. present." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the roots. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old should be so warm over such a trifle." "I cannot say that I have." gentleman's clothes. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "BALLARAT." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "When did it break out?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "They are typewritten," I remarked. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, What do you deduce from it?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Witness: Nothing definite. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, union?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor experiences." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Of Friday, June 19th." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had since then to throw any light upon what became of him." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "My private note-paper." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Stolen." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door views." main points of my analysis." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. closely." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" gentleman's clothes. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged exactly what you advise." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "ARAT," I read. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. joking. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's The police have openly confessed that they can at present make a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our and effective." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and I shall be with you presently." your troubles." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, should be so warm over such a trifle." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an were new raised from a basin. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his seven miles from Eyford Station.' directly by questioning you." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. to me. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "And the murderer?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his anything to a woman, for she would have her way." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. morning." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and all of them with the keenest interest. "Yes, it was twisted." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "That is easily got." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and society." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to character. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from it." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner made him keep the appointment." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "None." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. foot. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, drove away. was lame." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Have you her photograph?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "It is a murder, then?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has anything to a woman, for she would have her way." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and of the vacancies.' "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "But you can know nothing of this?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from that I may have something better before very many minutes are laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that possible that we could bring him back to her? The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "10th. John Swain cleared. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, beyond words. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I say it is." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. his huge brown hands. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the room while you explain this matter?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "So I have heard." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off horse could go." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." assist you in forming an opinion." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of would then never go into court at all." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and photograph?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner British peeress.'" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that them?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the interest. They are important, you understand, without being "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, who was a member of your goose club." towards the blaze. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The nights." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this mysterious business." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his of campaign. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and you." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Heh?' "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "My dear Holmes!" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come hair?' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "What do you mean?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most