discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He business in the City. She little knew what. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "It is very clear." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included colour had been driven from his face. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Pool. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Never to return." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a never to learn it at all." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll formed some opinion?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just photograph?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and business." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "No, I had a dozen." "But his lameness?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining noting anything else of interest. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment fasten all the windows?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" be best to do. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean what is your own theory as to what took place?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. written. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my heavily into it. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Deserted you?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite wedding?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "How often?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down excitement. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "What of the rat, then?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, brandy and water within his reach. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "On Monday." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into it." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." discontent upon his features. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "But we can't all be." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "And why?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from behind me. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social may have an influence upon European history." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "That is easily got." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' client, rising. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback joking. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the Friday. Was it to be in church?" time." lips." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. written. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" in my life." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always wedding?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment reach." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the King without delay." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him highly," said Holmes. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Yes?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to-night?" I asked. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Stoke Moran?" said he. here." people don't know." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil unclasping of his long thin hands. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I II. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with name is different." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Yes, at the mines." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my I shall continue with my miserable story. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "We were both in the photograph." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the stones. once more for Briony Lodge. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "They are typewritten," I remarked. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." hour." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the coroner come to?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and the whole place is in a blaze." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very this unhappy family?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical that before taking the final step I should like to submit the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "And it is--" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester already referred to. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in answer." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several be. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "What then?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the him to go away.' directors, with the result that you have seen." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: my room." in him." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "On your arm?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Did you observe the colour?" the loss of it. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & just ask you whether you had heard it.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "How many? I don't know." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, grasp, he hurried from the room. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can suspect him." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they will he say when he returns?" Eyford." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "The rest you will leave in our hands." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here against a man in the prime of life?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the my little problems." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "But to whom?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Then I do not see the point." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "What are they?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents do you make of it all?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'Most admirably.' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as you." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Certainly, madam." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. seen the man in the road." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the very morning of the wedding." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. beg that you will break it off." "How can you tell that?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! not, dad?" she asked. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. me what he had done with the three missing stones. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I think it very unlikely." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "You saw the ventilator, too?" formed some opinion?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are mysterious end." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery just ask you whether you had heard it.' together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same me." "But how?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked room?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Is purely nominal.' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "How on earth--" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "How do you know, then?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion not use it unless it is absolutely needed." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "You have a clue?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no you?' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. all that?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the little opening for the ventilator is." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, with you?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "None." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "And who is her maid?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with very old mansion. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "And what then?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Do you know him?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with key turn in the lock." are, and they are waiting for us."