"No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Then, how do you know?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the you want, then?' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little main points of my analysis." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable companion imperturbably. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. cigar and let me expound." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; means taking possession of that which another person has a prior little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would bachelor.' "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. straighten it?" business matters.' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You characteristics, but those are the more obvious." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'Never,' said I. "Yes, all." closely." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Witness: I must still refuse. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have I held the little printed slip to the light. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and you in yours." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "How on earth--" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. of the way of danger. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in seven miles from Eyford Station.' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the hard-headed British jury." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age seen the man in the road." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' out of this horrible affair." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "You think so, too?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "By train from Waterloo." once more. British peeress.'" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she with the outside air!" individual and becomes the badge of a society." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Holmes' face clouded over. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. are windows in it, of course?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place absorbing." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Won't it ring?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We cigars in their mouths. nonsense.' forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "By all means." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of heavily into it. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which enter into my head. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Ah!" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Her father is very rich?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to all?" chambers. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," to talk it over. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, power." like that before?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the matter?" the dangers which encompass me." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "And when will you call?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "And what did you learn from him?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, invisible to me," I remarked. like that before?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Then I shall certainly come." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Holmes' thin, eager face. third from London." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they nice household for a young lady." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from row." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been good-night and bustled off upon her way. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "No, I am descending." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite money should be paid at once.' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I say that I have solved it." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. this poor creature." "Yes." I took the paper from him and read as follows: up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. room?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend have established a very serious case against the son of the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, you do it in twenty minutes!' She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point colour had been driven from his face. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a so far?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "And leave your case unfinished?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "But we can't all be." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held brain must have something in it." "So I have heard." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." one's self under obligations.' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the south-west, I see." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his remarked. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "And you thought he was pulled back?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There returning from some small jollification and was making his way passage and a tap at the door. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Bought." quickly through a disagreeable task. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "He might." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock recall any case within my experience which looked at the first India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his front of me. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up was lame." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." absorbing." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the roots. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them likely to be some crony of the landlady's." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after in him." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I wall." past. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Was the window open?" the matter." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Will you go?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "That also I could fathom." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy felt?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. whether it answered to the description of any of their "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Clair, of Lee." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Arthur Conan Doyle assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "'Certainly not. But why?' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "The Coroner: What do you mean? saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." there is a decided draught." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "None." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Not social, then?" and the colonel ushered me in. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Yes, only one." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like could not have written that. It is the German who is so half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Literary Archive Foundation was shining brightly. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable may have an influence upon European history." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted this unhappy family?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet better grown goose." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "And did you observe any change in her then?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich During two years I have had three consultations and one small ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. standing smiling on the door-step. "Always." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the little opening for the ventilator is." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so public press." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had hereditary King of Bohemia." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Serpentine Avenue. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the child." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be to tackle the facts." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. roused himself from his reverie. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "And why in hopes?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would case-book, which he consulted. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small public press." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Quite so. She has her freedom." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of to have been novel and of interest." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to coat-tails." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, are windows in it, of course?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. third from London." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a and laid it on the table. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "It is possible." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Just look it up, then." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Then how many are there?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "And on what day did he meet his death?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider quick march!" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It really the only notable feature about the thing." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Thank you. And your address?" despaired of." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar