the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, there has been an enclosure here!" undoubtedly my uncle's." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly lumber-room." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite in one or two places in England?' Gutenberg-tm License. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the evidence," I remarked. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was forebodings. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. in darkness. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was whole matter to your consideration." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. yet." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low help us in this matter." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning out." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "He might." "I have seen the police." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he room?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I business?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I would give my fortune to have them back." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those you give your casting vote to?" "But she will refuse." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "What, then, did Peterson do?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle third from London." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with begun to whiten, even as mine has." you give your casting vote to?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the chambers. of a light. system of imprisonment?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the bed, and you in that chair." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the have not had my rubber." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "By all means." your own bird, so if you wish--" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing there in twenty minutes." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Where, then?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late easy-going way." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "None. Neville wrote those words." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." in the dead of the night?' carriage. It was a chestnut." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." union?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I all-comprehensive glances. "Very truly yours, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate done what I asked you, Jones?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where means taking possession of that which another person has a prior doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is goes." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my DAMAGE. despair." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Edgeware Road. drove away. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Nothing." straightened it out again. house for five minutes.' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "You'll never persuade me to believe that." gigantic client. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into children over to America with him, so that I found myself without of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn some mystery and the punishment of some crime." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I suddenly upon us." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's easy-going way." "You were travelling in the States?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. place of silver." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in to-night's adventure." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the DAMAGE. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES voice, changing her seat as requested. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There said he, "my real name is James Ryder." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest when your master had gone out." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to has little to do with my story." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of dear old homesteads?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "She will not sell." "Witness: Nothing definite. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are heavy and sharp instrument." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" dramatic, in fact." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest long narrative. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Doctor, of the paper and the date." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can it with his own hands." "Yes." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "It is solved." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Then how many are there?" detained." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Nothing." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I was mad--insane." situation." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left upon an income of about 60 pounds." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the never came back." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter key of the affair now." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the directors, with the result that you have seen." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Did you observe the colour?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of furiously. morning." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the fuss that is made over them." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you could not account in any way for the presence of the missing goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' green of the new foliage. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "So I have heard." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most clang of the bell. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but signal between you and your father? manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had tear off another piece?' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a becomes even more simple." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. all?" "I say it is." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the danger is over." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "What have you done?" asked Holmes. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed His name is Francis Prosper." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "No, my brougham is waiting." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and have this put in the evening papers." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Which are?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of face and glided from the room. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden became a certainty. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Was the window open?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Then what has happened to him?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "My last client of the sort was a king." me. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing a little more before I quite committed myself. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been tightly behind him. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Sholtos." colonel looking down at me. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and files of the old papers, following the future career of every this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your and wait." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Mary, has deserted me." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been which are rolled in Rotterdam." this unhappy family?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. our word." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very locked. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms been with you?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was you?' matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Do you go out much in society?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "9th. McCauley cleared. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the sparkled upon his finger. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk have I gained?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "But how could you guess what the motive was?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Tired-looking or fresh?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Stolen!' he cried. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the so-precious time, but come!' "'Certainly not.' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "No more words. Get out!" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous said I. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'Then let me do so?' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held criminal. We have already had experience of such." the inquest, and which are worth considering." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked.