somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you off." article?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. it were putty." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "He is still with you, I presume?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried my little problems." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was opened a pocket-book and took out a note. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most carried out of court." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were congenial hunt. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our already referred to. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went with you?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the dangers which encompass me." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his to-morrow." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he invisible to me," I remarked. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' awaited us upon the table. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "'Oh, no.' Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other way: find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Street. be there in time for your coming." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, highroad, where all traces were lost. "What do you mean?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before public press." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "And how have you succeeded?" "'Yes, sir.' We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the child." at my remark. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in nonsense.' "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was key of the affair now." them present such singular features as the strange train of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, room had already been engaged for us. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Doctor, of the paper and the date." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Well." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'Why that?' I asks. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I am following you closely," I answered. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Yes, sir." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'I am sure if I had known--' such person." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, developed." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal might have a private word with us. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "No, thank goodness, she did not." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Miss Holder?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, chair. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." allusion to a rat. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Perhaps I have." events, Mr. Windibank!" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave your troubles." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "'And the work?' "He said that you could solve anything." throat." "ARAT," I read. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what emerged. "And how have you succeeded?" DAMAGE. ashen face. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless him to go away.' in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the rooms." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "And how?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I will, Miss Turner." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an fashion which was peculiar to him. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that here and I will read it to you: state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, good for you to do.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Could he throw no light?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all death." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "What shall I do?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. retorted upon me, and I on you." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you made his money." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But arrangements." opportunities to fix the problem. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked directly by questioning you." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week six. Come in!" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'Then let me do so?' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Yes." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "And on what day did he meet his death?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." with you?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" minor matters until to-morrow." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to true." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Imitated." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the inner apartment." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been detective. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Here?" thin legs towards the fire. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "None. Neville wrote those words." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "And your mother is alive?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should emerged. the roots. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "The murder was done with it." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "And that is--" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, to talk it over. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then brain must have something in it." "And I." "You are all wrong." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King lost his Christmas dinner." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," that threaten you." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'Certainly not.' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the case-book, which he consulted. "Yes, it was twisted." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "And you can do nothing until then?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "'And the work?' of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the criminal. We have already had experience of such." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is telegram would bring me down to your help." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same some mystery and the punishment of some crime." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Was she in good spirits?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the father's young wife. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, what I may call a really hard day's work." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From entirely lost his self-respect." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a hopeless attempt at recovering them." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Absolutely none." other lovers by making love himself." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the bottom.' "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "That sounds a little paradoxical." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, had picked up in the wood. skylight. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were happened." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled be. if only as a check to my own memory." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew tassel actually lying upon the pillow. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. I. "Why serious?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, think that he is innocent?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There what these perils are?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in as this. Pray let me have the details." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the telegram would bring me down to your help." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." people in all walks of life. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the him. "Quite so. She has her freedom." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an again on its way. grasp, he hurried from the room. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'A dozen yards or so.' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside where Mr. Fordham shows you.' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I like gravel from a pit.' that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope wanted for ourselves." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "In what way?" asked Holmes. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, way in everything. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid not come at once?" "What then?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "And you can do nothing until then?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Have you it here?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their to change my dress. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'There is a drive, then?' present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by have got?" lost nothing by them." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is