were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper light and attacked it." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the coronet at all injured?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that before the coroner and the police-court." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "No, thank goodness, she did not." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Then he might have called to you?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is good for you to do.' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the salesman. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary generous with you in money matters.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" mysterious end." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Precisely so. But how--" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a room. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Sutherland?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be laugh and put his lips to my ear. photograph?" direction." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on sake, don't!" the date of his supposed suicide." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'Yes, it was gone.' red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "She will not sell." "What office?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "It may not come to that," said Holmes. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray way in." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "But we can't all be." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' some water from a caraffe. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he that?' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "This photograph!" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham seen the man in the road." rat could hardly pass through." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "But you have hopes?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "That is easily got." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "This concluded the examination of the witness." your Highness to the police-station?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "I am all attention, madam." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "We have tried and failed." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small better grown goose." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. to-morrow." pressing in one house as in another. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "My dear Holmes!" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same held up the lantern and gazed about him. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I guessed as much." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying over his head with a sweet womanly caress. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent status with the IRS. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "But you have hopes?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point them, and came down just as you departed. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the fuss that is made over them." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "What can it mean?" I gasped. looking up at the numbers of the houses." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel your bag." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to be sorry for having acted so harshly." to that open window." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "One of his hands." voice. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he directly by questioning you." "No." "Then, how do you know?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a do." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the later, upon the night of May 2nd." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of your sleep?' hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past introspective fashion. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "What, then, did Peterson do?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the window, rose as we entered. fear." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my shall not find me ungrateful." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "He slept on the premises." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him fuss that is made over them." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "It is half-past ten now." not personally threatened." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Imitated." salesman. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an call for protection in the marriage market, for the present indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the window, rose as we entered. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their DAMAGE. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Well, some hundreds of times." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my was shining brightly. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch for its centre. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with during which he might have communicated with his friend the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were will find little credit to be gained out of this case." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "9th. McCauley cleared. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is fatally injured? "How often?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds records." existence." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "And you can do nothing until then?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." golden eyeglasses. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over tail." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the way in." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the in his hands." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Will you go?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have read over the extraordinary announcement. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, been with you?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has ourselves in the office." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "No. What a strange idea!" less than 26s. 4d. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check sufficient punishment." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Holmes' thin, eager face. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming quickly through a disagreeable task. matter over." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at for its centre. and laid it on the table. late." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will said he. "Can I be of assistance?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Certainly." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the little opening for the ventilator is." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Who by?" "Did your wife hear all this?" "And how did you verify them?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its remarked. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" indeed happy." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is she might be summoned. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if shag which I had seen upon the previous night. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "My dear Holmes!" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Nothing." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off someone who had been in Australia." business in the City. She little knew what. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the purpose of examination. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "You have but to name it." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon exactly what you advise." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout strength." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in nights." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Not particularly." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'And the work?' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly conduct the inquiry." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "No bad?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! writers could invent nothing more crude." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "No bad?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather arrested. You then--" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a records." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. have had none more fantastic than this." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster enter Dr. Roylott's room." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the maid will bring up your coffee." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock to-morrow." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Eh? What was that?" "Then I am your man." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our then?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Then I do not see the point." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his