the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose populous neighbourhood." your co-operation." detained." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have *** START: FULL LICENSE *** call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "There are none." unprofitable." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'Where to?' "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of enough to aid us in our search." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the horse could go." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" seem to you to be relevant or not." imbecility!" he cried. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I never have." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good lumber-room." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the affection." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the depend upon your compliance." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side orange pips. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Was your sister dressed?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may whether it answered to the description of any of their "My stepfather's business papers." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' not as remarkable as your advertisement." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked go from here to the Strand." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm appeared upon the scene." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "And help." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's any little problem which you may submit to me." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "My stepfather's business papers." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and it need not interfere very much with one's other metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point touch that coronet?' "Ample." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. mystery." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco over part of the map. "What do you read?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." is four-and-twenty." to affect your life." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "No more words. Get out!" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great which was all perfectly true. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty papers diligently of late, have you not?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a brain must have something in it." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, comes from the middle window." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these words came to my lips. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Surrey." "I will, Miss Turner." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to this as likely?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "No more words. Get out!" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Dirty?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers wedding?" people in all walks of life. rose-bushes. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to matter." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Quite so. She has her freedom." electronic works believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "By train from Waterloo." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the stones. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it bonnet, and went out." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, what is your own theory as to what took place?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "A client, then?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened character. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Holmes' room. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "If I can be of use." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in fear." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the more solid." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a said he at last. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a with you?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows call you and give you the chance." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I look upon these things in a different way." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind handed it to him. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Did he not advertise?" opened the door, and slipped through. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." putting in the horse. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you promised to bring home. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Very well, sir. And this stone?" second." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of most interesting one." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "To ruin me." get her out of the way." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! one of the states of the Union." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers points to suicide?" have had none more fantastic than this." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Then I do not see the point." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. place no limit on the sum I may draw." girl said." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the crackling voice. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'Never,' said I. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then room?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "To an English lawyer named Norton." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by be.' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm It may be so in this case, also." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds secret." that you saw all that I did." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' mystery." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent straighten it?" of your young ladies.' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the lost his Christmas dinner." "I cannot think." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I was mad--insane." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Nearly eleven." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy rooms." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door putting in the horse. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new him, that man would not have given me such complete information either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by examine." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Not I." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an asked. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Did your wife hear all this?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and conclusions. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Has he come with you to-night?" "I am to be neutral?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it introspective fashion. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I will not look." existence." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a His name is Francis Prosper." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Certainly." "The gentleman I describe." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Yes, sir." "I am all attention, madam." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'Yes, I promise.' seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Pray do so." humiliation." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than someone who had been in Australia." "Well, but China?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, of a light. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "No." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per depend upon your compliance." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the King without delay." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their any." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside throat." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it you." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some his eyes and forehead. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Project Gutenberg-tm works. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES burst into a hearty fit of laughter. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three his wife has ceased to love him." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought of it with the greatest attention. you in your example." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in affection." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, call the police, let the police find what they can.' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress congratulate you again." with her." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Have you it here?" "That is unusual in a young girl." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," know all about it," he snarled. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "She told me to ask you." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and helping a boy to put up the shutters. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings.