settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "What can it mean?" I gasped. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Tired-looking or fresh?" whether it answered to the description of any of their Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner one or two very singular points about this room. For example, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm thin legs towards the fire. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "What, then, did Peterson do?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the best of training." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Pray tell us what has happened to you." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Yes, they were peculiar boots." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you conduct the inquiry." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "No, I am descending." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure been anything against him. He had for years been known as a on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." notes," he said. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "How on earth--" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had it." "What do you make of that, Watson?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "One of the highest in England." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my to some other building. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in ways of our fellow-men." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I fear." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here wedding?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Edgeware Road. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one you?' "'Quite sure, dad.' "Then I am your man." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "And your mother is alive?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "'Where to?' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Imitated." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Where is it, then?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. trying to your nerves." "Yes." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and deduce something from that?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but a little more before I quite committed myself. "'Yes, it was gone.' and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and 11:15.' and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down it right.' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide of note-paper. It read in this fashion: I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, It may be so in this case, also." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, tied." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Street. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must address. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Surrey." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "He slept on the premises." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man yourselves in at night?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Holmes." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us away in different directions, and I went off to make my own paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "A call for help, you thought?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back him. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had must compliment you." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Then I can wait in the next room." infinite languor in his face. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Have you good authority for what you say?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "No." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. envelope. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps families. Now for the facts. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Will you bet, then?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps thin legs towards the fire. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a overpowering excitement and concern. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I beg pardon." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite relief. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor this as likely?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to such attractions and accomplishments?' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Won't it ring?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the one as in the other." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies it right.' "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "He said that you could solve anything." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or figure." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the some water from a caraffe. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused to take care of herself." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Yes." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, lectures into a series of tales." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. his knees, staring into the fire. for and were ordered to this address. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Yes, only one." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them your Highness to the police-station?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "How long did she speak to this Alice?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of to a more successful conclusion." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Nothing?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. place of silver." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'Is purely nominal.' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not detective. "Yes." beyond words. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, grasp, he hurried from the room. "And Miss Sutherland?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a vanished into the darkness. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "The vanishing of the lady." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple main points of my analysis." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which read it out to me." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds any little problem which you may submit to me." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook o'clock is it?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any to go into your room and bar your shutters?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly business in the City. She little knew what. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me business?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers details should find their way into the papers. Inspector present." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "The knees of his trousers." I shall communicate with you." "Have you her photograph?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the society." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as awkward doing business with an alias." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Then, how do you know?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the little opening for the ventilator is." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Yes, at the mines." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Watson," he said cordially. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'Ten to two.' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I him, that man would not have given me such complete information address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect about. society." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that question. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able was used.' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. acted in my house last night?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. fat-encircled eyes. papers." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when his grey eyes. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "And when will you call?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The you for a few hours?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "What! a murderous attack?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' at a side door. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I shall most certainly do so." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "In the cells." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I beg pardon." easy-going way." Doctor, of the paper and the date." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was