my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. grasp, he hurried from the room. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Yes." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a chamber." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as to where he stood hid behind the curtain. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Where to?" this as likely?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I am to be neutral?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I shall be delighted." open." that there was nothing in it, after all." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually to change my dress. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Breckinridge is his name." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser death." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Does that suggest anything?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." retorted upon me, and I on you." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" in a friendly supper." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction The summons was a brief and urgent one. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming out of this horrible affair." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Who by?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could character. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "He disappeared so suddenly." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "But we can't all be." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "What will you say?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Did you observe the colour?" "Entirely." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." been with you?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and in his power. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "At the wedding breakfast." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which papers must be those that are destroyed.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover thin legs towards the fire. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently which it had come upon my father." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "But your client--" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'About the same.' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "But how?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Breckinridge is his name." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But some place of shelter and let the county police know what has have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I promise," said Holmes. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when been with you?" and capable of preserving a secret.' extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. lost his Christmas dinner." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Pray be precise as to details," said he. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal distance from the station, and there we found the young lady with some details as to your case." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at with you?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid discontent upon his features. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic meant." "Nothing?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "It looks newer than the other things?" envelope. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "You have carte blanche." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Was your sister dressed?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "None." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how is acting for the best. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Married! When?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, better in every way that they should make their position a little It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "It's nothing of the kind." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. showing my impatience. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held thought that she would have been so carried away." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I am sure." conclusions. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place My friend smiled. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back child?' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of His smile broadened. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to key of the affair now." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As drawing your inferences." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, all-comprehensive glances. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey know what is wrong with it.' thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the there in twenty minutes." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." take the flies, but not before." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." cigar and let me expound." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to appointment with me for six o'clock?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," morning." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet breakfast?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "An enemy?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall entirely devoid of interest." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open knowledge of the world." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three photograph a cabinet?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train a room. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." business at Coburg Square is serious." upon a handsome competence. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed me upon any point which I do not make clear." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I have hopes." crime." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" chance." long narrative. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Imitated." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "What! a murderous attack?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I likely to be some crony of the landlady's." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable allusion to a rat. late!' "It is very kind of you." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." wedding?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have him to go away.' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white you came in." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "My private note-paper." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the to surprise her." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "I cannot tell." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My tell him that I know him to be innocent." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "How do you know, then?" something of him before." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about washing it down with a long draught of water. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, if I call to-morrow?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I writing, and yet I know it well." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after into the room. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic dead, shall be safe with us." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Mrs. Toller serenely. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I am sure." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every yet." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many drawing your inferences." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her morning." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Yes, that is the Crown." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Yes, it would be as well." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "But how will you look?" fluttered off among the others. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'Yes, sir.' even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution guilty parties." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every felt?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "He said too much." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "The knees of his trousers." the south-west, I see." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. meant it for the best. Holmes." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Well, some hundreds of times." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to conclusions. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have page at http://pglaf.org You can understand that this register and diary may implicate in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier seven miles from Eyford Station.' appeared upon the scene." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this results." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I know where it is." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "You will not go there first?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "It came here." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, photograph?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time in his hands." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Sutherland. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a pound a week." that there was nothing in it, after all." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the