She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you stalked out of the room. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the exactly what you advise." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began my little problems." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" have not had my rubber." yet." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it geese which you supplied to the Alpha." not come at once?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Yes." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." together. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "What do you mean?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching few hundred pounds.' "In heaven's name, what for?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. made his money." copied or distributed: treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future horse could go." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the side-table." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go is acting for the best. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard corner of the building. the little opening for the ventilator is." "They are typewritten," I remarked. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "My last client of the sort was a king." sufficient punishment." peculiar to him. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Was he the only applicant?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Did he not advertise?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend guilty one." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time must compliment you." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him in my life." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding and a shock of very red hair. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "How often?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your McCarthy's innocence. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily what these perils are?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be green of the new foliage. quite distinctive." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Then he might have called to you?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I have hopes." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no been anything against him. He had for years been known as a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "There is the writing." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his instincts rose up against that laugh. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I not interfere, come what may. You understand?" it." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the morning and make my own way in the world.' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "No, I am descending." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "And how?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." main points of my analysis." Henry Baker is a member." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am hopeless attempt at recovering them." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation there!' his huge brown hands. said I. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The were new raised from a basin. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter asked. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I other means.' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your putting in the horse. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'Yes, I promise.' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I DAMAGE. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "But your client--" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "I will not look." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. look dissatisfied." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the will be renamed. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her crime. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the matter?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the but preventing her from injuring another. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in congenial hunt. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "It certainly sounds feasible." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid gentleman's clothes. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and present." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his impression behind it as though a window had gently closed a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he do." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Yes, sir.' "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of the vacancies.' refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "I was sure that I might rely on you." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right nonsense.' preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Where did he live, then?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw events, Mr. Windibank!" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As everything which you would wish to know." that the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Very. But will he see it?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "But his left-handedness." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "It is to him that this trophy belongs." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his meant it for the best. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "What will you do, then?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a way in everything. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose read it out to me." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "It is his hat." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, you came in." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great mysterious business." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the coronet in his hand?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The six. Come in!" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you daring than any effort of the imagination." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I should be immensely obliged to you." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were said he. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices than to us. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "It is no ordinary one." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "I have solved it." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Dr. Becher's." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." your Highness to the police-station?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and this unhappy family?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he your billet.' "A greater distance to travel." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then God! What an exposure! What can I do?" one's self under obligations.' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got as he remarks, very much against the son." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who see a sister of mine apply for." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the gigantic client. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'Why that?' I asks. enter Dr. Roylott's room." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Nothing." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Yes, I have one waiting." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my stepfather?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw several quiet little villages up there." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "It is possible." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old for the market.' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." handed it to him. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." jewels which you have stolen?' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "I will get her to show me." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her in the port of London." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "A thing like a cleaver," said he. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as it." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to know that the truth is known." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client hereditary King of Bohemia." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!"