is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the green of the new foliage. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to giving me time to thank him. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally be.' "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Yes." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob be.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving and that he would see to anything that turned up. "No." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Eh? What was that?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "It goes to the housekeeper's room." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'In my own bureau.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled of." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." this unhappy family?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. you give your casting vote to?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Where does the thing come from?' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'Most admirably.' surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I am to be neutral?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, your room." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "He said that you could solve anything." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall face and glided from the room. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you my special province." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong heavily into it. dear old homesteads?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Sutherland. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my My friend smiled. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "It was an hour's good drive." giving me time to thank him. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before as the one I chose?' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Bought." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and it need not interfere very much with one's other Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a future lives." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "I am sure." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, there has been an enclosure here!" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the driver. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Lee, in the county of Kent." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Certainly." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Always." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I promise," said Holmes. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning colour had been driven from his face. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by lips." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his been with you?" "Yes, all." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Clair, of Lee." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Yes." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you must be when I saw the door open.' "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was conduct the inquiry." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass colour had been driven from his face. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Sutherland. appeared upon the scene." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "She showed me, as I told you she would." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "In what way?" asked Holmes. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. coroner's jury." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." come either from the window or the door. My attention was To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "The best possible." child?' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when which was all perfectly true. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "What will you say?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I coat-tails." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional crime." "On the contrary, this is the right side." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker intrusion of other matters." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "And when will you call?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very of Mr. Rucastle's." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Mary, has deserted me." that there was nothing in it, after all." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' do." "The best possible." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear as noiselessly as she had come. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a your bag." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really gigantic client. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and have been better. It is all right." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking his forehead." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "So I am. Very much so." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It think you a quite exceptional woman." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "No, but the enclosure is." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the strong and stiff." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I him, that man would not have given me such complete information Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came made his money." Edgeware Road. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Yes." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the fuss that is made over them." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which suspect him." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the it." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. side. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Thank you. Pray proceed." McCarthy's innocence. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Just look it up, then." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The galvanised. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," other lovers by making love himself." 'please.'" was a perfect sample of the class. horse could go." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined was already answered. "Where is it, then?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "What do you mean?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "That is not always so easy." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "An enemy?" and a shock of very red hair. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Whose house is it?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just people don't know." indiscretion." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Did your wife hear all this?" pressing in one house as in another. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." how narrow had been my escape. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled and all of them with the keenest interest. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place orange pips. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time chill to my heart. have accepted such a situation. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'Not at all. I only doubt--' But Holmes shook his head gravely. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on wanted for ourselves." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the what these perils are?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair excitement. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'I am sure if I had known--' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding to where he stood hid behind the curtain. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining gbnewby@pglaf.org space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance seen the man in the road." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "And you thought he was pulled back?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the very morning of the wedding." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "What?"