India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the name is different." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to instituted." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told closing the door. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you prepare for the new role I have to play." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of purpose of examination. "No, my brougham is waiting." was shining brightly. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the it right.' "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." opened the door, and slipped through. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "You have compromised yourself seriously." I nodded again. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that occurred." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES fled together." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. him to be an active member of the medical profession." will not take me long to tell. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon records." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "That you are never beaten." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "But to whom?" "A call for help, you thought?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first charge against him will break down." brandy and water within his reach. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about where we are going." with some details as to your case." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the him to be an active member of the medical profession." see me here to avoid scandal." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Stolen." "I would give my fortune to have them back." disappearance of the bride.'" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the know all about it," he snarled. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to never to learn it at all." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I returned to France?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal better grown goose." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the inner apartment." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue triumphant cloud from his cigarette. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "You will not go there first?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must could not have written that. It is the German who is so Pope's Court. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Lestrade of Scotland Yard." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the did not hear it also.' Miss Holder?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Was your sister dressed?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I vault. upon an income of about 60 pounds." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not to-morrow." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Dr. Becher's." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "He slept on the premises." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. round and wave him away like that.' "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and dates and names. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in chance." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. least a fellow-countryman. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Nothing." "Proceed, then." matter over." "Of what?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "He slept on the premises." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I did not hear it also.' course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "My last client of the sort was a king." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Get out!" said he. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its and no precautions can guard against." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Yes, I have one waiting." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I have come for advice." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "And how in the world did you find them?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I she might be summoned. "Won't it ring?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "What! Had he lost his wife?" to miss it." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "'Is 4 pounds a week.' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Yes." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. status with the IRS. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the inner apartment." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'Certainly not.' had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," silent! Oh, he will be silent!' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, question," said Holmes, smiling. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "The murder was done with it." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to bonnet, and went out." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the gone. "We have tried and failed." it." "It was an hour's good drive." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite other means.' nonsense.' time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to daring than any effort of the imagination." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a door?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to excitement. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips brandy and water within his reach. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I must compliment you." matter over." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the breakfast?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set views." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we in one or two places in England?' horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "You think that he is dead?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Nearly eleven." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Dr. Gregory B. Newby husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no six. Come in!" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Where is it, then?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old beyond words. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "What is it?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." For additional contact information: could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where despaired of." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that spare." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "The landlord of the Alpha." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I am all attention, madam." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "And how did you verify them?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to quick march!" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. better grown goose." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "ARAT," I read. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Then I do not see the point." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Henry Baker is a member." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it these bleak autumnal evenings." opened the door, and slipped through. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed in the dead of the night?' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "My Mary? Impossible!" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other said I. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Dirty?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Pray do so." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open carriage. It was a chestnut." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet one which it was hard to resist. dear old homesteads?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We happened." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "She told me to ask you." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the best of training." lectures into a series of tales." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "What then?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Henry Baker is a member." that?' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Really! You surprise me." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was or other trace. But how on earth--" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "On your arm?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I shall be delighted." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my definite end. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." envelope. opportunities to fix the problem. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. one of the states of the Union." "Whose house is it?" of it with the greatest attention. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing been shamefully used." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "We were both in the photograph." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" colonel looking down at me. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss everything which you would wish to know." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "It's nothing of the kind." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." bare slabs of marble. noble correspondent could be. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an