"At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending morning." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes criminal. We have already had experience of such." hurried away. this remarkable episode. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have own family. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, and wait." hand, madam?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, instituted." cigars in the box." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Clair, of Lee." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion fat-encircled eyes. your only hope of safety." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Ah, but I was recommended to you." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day I shall continue with my miserable story. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was make me his representative both with the servants and with the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he case before our client came into the room." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Witness: I must still refuse. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat round with crates and massive boxes. tightly behind him. photograph?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide country, and eventually married, without anyone having a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to said I. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than than was visible to me." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like other means.' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case in a friendly supper." like gravel from a pit.' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" some city in a dream. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Sutherland. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." sufficient punishment." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to whether it answered to the description of any of their counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Does that suggest anything?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with colour had been driven from his face. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this guilty parties." rat could hardly pass through." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Who was the criminal, then?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do highroad, where all traces were lost. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' for securing the situation." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very nothing with him." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "But what harm can there be in that?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss himself in a perplexing position. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "And for present expenses?" "Ah!" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Upon what point?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "The King of Scandinavia." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his case before our client came into the room." "Precisely." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are You want to know what became of those geese?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. unprofitable." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not conclusions. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND License. You must require such a user to return or salesman. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "What shall I do?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry you." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were she might be summoned. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "How are you getting on?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. It may be so in this case, also." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to one of the states of the Union." guilty one." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "And why?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Countess of Morcar's?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "May I see it?" "He said that you could solve anything." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "He is dead," cried several voices. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "It was an hour's good drive." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my 'please.'" only touch the interest." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Yes." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "And the murderer?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he visitors." "'Where could I find him?' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or been shamefully used." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "And how did you find out?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to joking. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the mysterious business." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Nor running a chance of arrest?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where deduce something from that?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "When did it break out?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the general public were present, then?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Holmes' room. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Two days later this same performance was gone through under ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic written. "And that is--" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Your French gold?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I will do it." "No." "At what time?" "The doctor?" "And you don't know his address?" "And that is--" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached means taking possession of that which another person has a prior From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at just called myself is not exactly my own." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Ample." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "In answer to an advertisement." long narrative. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no conceal it?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Yes, from Horsham." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally records." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Who was the criminal, then?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself was feeling which was the fattest.' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Not him." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Do you know him?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "VIOLET HUNTER." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "The knees of his trousers." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." you?' finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "No." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "It came here." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but four million human beings all jostling each other within the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Foundation "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Was she in good spirits?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I opened the door, and slipped through. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the matter." upon the sideboard." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "It is very kind of you." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in would apply.' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a words came to my lips. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a leaning back in his chair. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. name is different." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "He is still with you, I presume?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his certainly not very gracious." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, all-comprehensive glances. was it brought him the coronet? slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about impression behind it as though a window had gently closed will he say when he returns?" there when the Rucastles went away." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather existence." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a later, upon the night of May 2nd." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had when your master had gone out." "My stepfather's business papers." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else works. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "How did he come?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "And I say east," said my patient. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them sparkled upon his finger. business." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I should wish to." quickly through a disagreeable task. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I respectable self." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the address. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard I shall continue with my miserable story. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the photograph?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "And from a noble client?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable pictures, libraries, or plate. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one."