it." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this present strange and interesting features that it is no easy him!" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "None." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a matter." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "But it has twice been burgled." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "It looks newer than the other things?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should woman." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Absolutely none." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "But what harm can there be in that?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and washing it down with a long draught of water. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' seem to you to be relevant or not." "What of the rat, then?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "At what time?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my should be so warm over such a trifle." "My private note-paper." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' might have a private word with us. "One of his hands." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he detained." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Yes." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very I leave." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I door?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are good-night and bustled off upon her way. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, companion. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an retorted upon me, and I on you." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America unkempt, staring out at me. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. your own bird, so if you wish--" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was round with crates and massive boxes. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the see me here to avoid scandal." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the at home. 1.E.9. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "And on what day did he meet his death?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs ago." "And from a noble client?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "No." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring child?' Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Surrey." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out trying to your nerves." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Certainly." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "It surprised me." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers into the bag, and made for the door. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Well, some hundreds of times." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the matter?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper your bag." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I be sorry for having acted so harshly." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. open." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide to a light-house. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Where, then, is my wife?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it into her hand at the door and which lured her within their and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "The King of Scandinavia." Miss Holder?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies laugh and put his lips to my ear. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies McCarthy's innocence. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very bearing upon the case." "'Where to?' carriage. It was a chestnut." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. me where it went to?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over sofa. This way, please!" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut could not have written that. It is the German who is so "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we upon the shelf for the interim." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing him, that man would not have given me such complete information thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way husband's writing, madam." "Absolutely?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. with frightened eyes at his accuser. wedding?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and door?" "By train from Waterloo." confronted him. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "None." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "He slept on the premises." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Thank you. Pray proceed." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Perfectly so." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other straightened it out again. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings 11:15.' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and dates and names. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'You cannot say what it was?' where she found matters as described by the last witness. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of stood on the top of it. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the But Holmes shook his head gravely. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak despair." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Well, it is a possible supposition." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Well, but China?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty know what is wrong with it.' change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then never will be, entirely cleared up. was a perfect sample of the class. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend least a fellow-countryman. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "He said too much." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there father's young wife. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "In San Francisco, a year ago." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her himself in a perplexing position. like gravel from a pit.' "Perhaps I have." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "That is easily got." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." future lives." overpowering excitement and concern. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "He might." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our noting anything else of interest. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing help us in this matter." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" have one." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "You are all wrong." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Proceed, then." populous neighbourhood." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was woman." "What is it, then--a fire?" and laid it on the table. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" money should be paid at once.' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Why serious?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a weapon." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I fear not." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; there in twenty minutes." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm lids now and glanced across at his visitor. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident answer." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "But what will you do?" a monotonous occupation." "Perhaps I have." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the mysterious business." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers John Swain, of St. Augustine. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and province." upon a handsome competence. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there any little problem which you may submit to me." laugh and put his lips to my ear. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Your presence might be invaluable." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the matter?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the coronet at all injured?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "And you don't know his address?" "He said that you could solve anything." "'How far from the body?' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few