"Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Holmes' face clouded over. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Did your wife hear all this?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "This concluded the examination of the witness." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a criminal. We have already had experience of such." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young retorted upon me, and I on you." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle of note-paper. It read in this fashion: permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the have accepted such a situation. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. dear old homesteads?" father's young wife. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with appointment with me for six o'clock?" success. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "And what then?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very events, Mr. Windibank!" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the one as in the other." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled drove away. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "None." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "A client, then?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." for and were ordered to this address. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." nonsense.' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge face and glided from the room. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but awkward doing business with an alias." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Very well, sir. And this stone?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." never came back." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "You have but to name it." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I am in hopes that she does." distinguish the words: Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "No, I think that I'll take it." congratulate you again." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." fact, we may call it conclusive." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy habit of advancing money.' annoyance, but no jest. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle putting in the horse. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! congenial hunt. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that to surprise her." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'And what salary do you ask?' go--none." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "What will you do, then?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other business in the City. She little knew what. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a in him." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the unprofitable." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your room?" money should be paid at once.' "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a good-night and bustled off upon her way. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. was a loud and authoritative tap. "I fear not." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Nothing?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I cannot imagine." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps out of this horrible affair." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon It may be so in this case, also." acquaintance?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She it were putty." "'I am sure that I do not know.' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful works. See paragraph 1.E below. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the not as remarkable as your advertisement." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "That is also quite modern," said the lady. that you can jump it.' "Nothing." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we narrative." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He main points of my analysis." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were I shall continue with my miserable story. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Where, indeed?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady into her hand at the door and which lured her within their main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich galvanised. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I shall be delighted." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I wall." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'Where could I find him?' resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "What do you mean?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "I have seen the police." at home. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'And the work?' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from his forehead." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." had this final quarrel? cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's call you and give you the chance." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. digesting their breakfasts at home." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much troubles have been weighing upon his mind. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and roused himself from his reverie. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the inner apartment." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "That's no good." Literary Archive Foundation matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand secret." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Yes, he did." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was will he say when he returns?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "No?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a trying to your nerves." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be lost his Christmas dinner." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "And what did you learn from him?" careless servant girl?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever mysterious business." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Two days later this same performance was gone through under game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Never." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I see many objections to any such theory." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "What! a murderous attack?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Certainly, madam." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could intrusion of other matters." correct than the official force." "Breckinridge is his name." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "You have but to name it." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "If I can be of use." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to acted in my house last night?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Then I do not see the point." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Who was the criminal, then?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, situation." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Then what has happened to him?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, allusion to a rat. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything bore every mark of being an average commonplace British so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a said I. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know in this note: Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away way in." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "That is it on the dressing-table." dates and names. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' all?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet used to be." imbecility!" he cried. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Certainly." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a direction." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Is he quiet?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, During two years I have had three consultations and one small whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "And the murderer?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and in this way: I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Pray let us have it, for all that." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "And who is her maid?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed opened a pocket-book and took out a note. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "And for present expenses?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father direction." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "And now?" I asked. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. way in everything. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could breakfast?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is conceal it?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper