grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Yes, sir." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Was she in good spirits?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I do." "Yes, that is the Crown." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the King without delay." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "It is his hat." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door one which it was hard to resist. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the get the tickets." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." interested in these little problems, and since you are good fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and glanced through. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "You forget that I know nothing about it." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the stable lane now." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "It surprised me." Munro.' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman train from Paddington which would bring you there at about anything to a woman, for she would have her way." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial annoyance, but no jest. him to go away.' and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is you came in." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "But it has twice been burgled." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and is acting for the best. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "You did not overhear what they said?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Why did you pick him?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, lips." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the yourselves in at night?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "No bad?" showing my impatience. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "The vanishing of the lady." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Precisely." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round voice, changing her seat as requested. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "He is still with you, I presume?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or towards the blaze. murdered man." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "But not more so than I to find you." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, standing smiling on the door-step. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "No, thank goodness, she did not." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had waste of energy." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "My photograph." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, remarked. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending This is what he says: evidence," I remarked. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which together. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "You are all wrong." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or derbies." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. written. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "And you don't know his address?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout results." dear old homesteads?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an had no one to advise her at such a crisis." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Which are?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "He said too much." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came you found me to-night--and running through the front room she charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who invisible to me," I remarked. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Upon what point?" than was visible to me." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so highroad, where all traces were lost. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "It is very clear." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no once more for Briony Lodge. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the Assizes." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Holmes' face clouded over. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, me." through." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Mrs. Toller serenely. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in tapping his fingers upon the table. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them questioning and rather startled gaze. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring residence of the great financier. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "That you are never beaten." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Where, then, is my wife?" to-night?" I asked. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must them present such singular features as the strange train of "Absolutely?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Certainly not.' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "May I see it?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself geese which you supplied to the Alpha." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with said he at last. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." question. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I will, Miss Turner." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Not in the least." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of kind enough to tell me what I should do." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in chair. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. excitement. "Yes, from Horsham." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked that you can jump it.' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "An enemy?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, salesman. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs place of silver." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then I nodded to show that I had heard. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and with her." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means burst out into a roar of laughter. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring awaited us upon the table. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "This concluded the examination of the witness." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "What do you make of that, Watson?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which I took the paper from him and read as follows: departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been him nearly every evening." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only row." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, chemical work which was so dear to him. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely lips." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on bachelor.' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London closely." three of the beryls in it, was missing. you give your casting vote to?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to business came to an end." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I woman." soul! here is her carriage at the door." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I am armed." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything touch that coronet?' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "The rest you will leave in our hands." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" of the vacancies.' A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, went to the Alpha were town bred." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he tail." o'clock is it?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. roused himself from his reverie. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked clang of the bell. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'Never,' said I. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his yards of it?' the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "But how will you look?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Yes, from Horsham." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources appeal." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had until night should bring an explanation. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk 11:15.' retorted upon me, and I on you." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong The King stared at him in amazement. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to