writers could invent nothing more crude." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some their singular warning or token before them when starting upon he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, guilty parties." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "But his lameness?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Have you it here?" detained." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking but preventing her from injuring another. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the house with me." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded forehead. will he say when he returns?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. himself. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to lumber-room." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. so far?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, you do it in twenty minutes!' Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before recall any case within my experience which looked at the first one's self under obligations.' The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you companion. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Street. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Holmes. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. empty. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up fishes. appointment with me for six o'clock?" returned to France?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "His face fell immediately. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "No." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "A thing like a cleaver," said he. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, quite distinctive." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Yes." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Yes, from Horsham." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "What of the rat, then?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." astonishment. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "And why?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "So I heard. You have him here?" "How did you deduce the select?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." fishes. meant it for the best. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You have a clue?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a deduce something from that?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should my little problems." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my what is your own theory as to what took place?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Were they all fastened this morning?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "You are hungry," I remarked. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Perhaps we may make them less so." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." himself to tell his story. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "In what way?" asked Holmes. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and files of the old papers, following the future career of every there!' fasten all the windows?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no suggested at once that there must be a communication between the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to appeared upon the scene." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Pope's Court. morning." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and meant." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of you understand?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and people don't know." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive said he. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'What then?' I asked. about. "And when will you call?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I say that I have solved it." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Thank you. Pray proceed." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of to-night?' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are completely overtopped every other consideration that we both I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'Ten to two.' Farm upon the left." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly corner of the building. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat for the market.' dramatic, in fact." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "So I heard. You have him here?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Yes." an introduction to him?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the here and I will read it to you: was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the congenial hunt. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark served to weaken the effect. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' like that before?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "And Miss Sutherland?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the devil!" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of long narrative. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in hardly wander." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still national property. I was determined that the law should have its but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the have got?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Perhaps we may make them less so." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but companion. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "But what is it you wish?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think will find little credit to be gained out of this case." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he of Fenchurch Street." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already despaired of." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Holmes." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "She told me to ask you." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Not I." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' more terrible than the truth. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew already been minutely examined." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, of the way of danger. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which to some other building. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "A call for help, you thought?" and no precautions can guard against." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat chill to my heart. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Thank you. And your address?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." him!" "'How far from the body?' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, might have a private word with us. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, it." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "And your mother is alive?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in straighten it?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask photograph a cabinet?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the learned something! Where are the gems?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "In what way?" asked Holmes. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot had a long day." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to will take you up to see the machine.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment have had none more fantastic than this." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the south-west, I see." knowledge of the world." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I have come for advice." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "But not more so than I to find you." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Who was the criminal, then?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang business came to an end." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." must compliment you." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' His smile broadened. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall down from London to inquire more deeply into it." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'I have already given you my word.' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box hour." with you alone." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his public press." me. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of this gang." the side-table." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the infinite languor in his face. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Leadenhall Street--and--" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." present." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but late." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "And I say east," said my patient. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Was the window open?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "You are certainly joking, Holmes." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about