"'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "The vanishing of the lady." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a power." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that His smile broadened. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "And for present expenses?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his leaning back in his chair. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a over part of the map. "What do you read?" problems help me to do so." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house said I. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might you do it in twenty minutes!' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came sound at heart." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most you?' and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he your Highness to the police-station?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Lee, in the county of Kent." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point that you wished to speak to me?' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Game for a morning drive?" copied or distributed: him." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. key of the affair now." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a roused himself from his reverie. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "It's nothing of the kind." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done you do it in twenty minutes!' in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Holmes' room. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, noble correspondent could be. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "What then?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could she slowly sank and died without having recovered her would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her stammered. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside of campaign. to his chemical studies. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural confronted him. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley McCarthy." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "That sounds a little paradoxical." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so business." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a of the one which your family is now devouring." went to the Alpha were town bred." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that only touch the interest." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept entirely lost his self-respect." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that minor matters until to-morrow." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." just called myself is not exactly my own." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and of Mr. Rucastle's." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible said Mr. Holder. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as to change my dress. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his that the gas is not laid on in his house?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out other, as fresh and trim as possible. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Lestrade of Scotland Yard." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to cost them two and thirty pounds." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and are windows in it, of course?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Edgeware Road. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior there is a decided draught." them present such singular features as the strange train of "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Yes." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire beg that you will break it off." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without if she died from some sudden fright." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the already referred to. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable secret." "And what did you see?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "No, but the enclosure is." you, my dear young lady?' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "You are certainly joking, Holmes." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and of Mr. Rucastle's." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which is so. I know all about McCarthy." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "No." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week as the one I chose?' rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. became a certainty. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be could not have written that. It is the German who is so the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. of the one which your family is now devouring." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the horse could go." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer too. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she call you and give you the chance." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Which are?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like it? Did I buy the geese off you?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "And on what day did he meet his death?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be IS "Was he the only applicant?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "What! Had he lost his wife?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I came to find a friend." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. forbidden door. might help us?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "The King of Scandinavia." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first who was a member of your goose club." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "What will you do, then?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I see many objections to any such theory." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I have seen the police." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment said Mr. Holder. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Nothing." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "On the contrary, this is the right side." indeed which he could not unravel. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Yes." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "And from a noble client?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" note?" "Yes." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." asked. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that it." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Seven!" I answered. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the of campaign. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, gone. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Why did you pick him?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper of his shoulders. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees questionable one." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets felt the room to be a little close.' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a written. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." there." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" placed his cuttings. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "So it appears." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I cannot as yet see any connection." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Cross for the Continent." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up it." orange pips. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "And for present expenses?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" will be renamed. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "And that is--" photograph?" "'A dozen yards or so.' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "But she could not love him." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "They are typewritten," I remarked. was already answered. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "But the mystery?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of against a man in the prime of life?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a to surprise her." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and out of this horrible affair." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "It was." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it beyond words. interest. They are important, you understand, without being little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Not social, then?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "If I can be of use." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have go--none." DAMAGE. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Nothing." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Do you go out much in society?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. was shining brightly. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the child." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had to tackle the facts." "Stolen." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the very letters. But what is this written above them?' came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. business?" tear off another piece?' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a