"What of this 'Cooee!' then?" said he at last. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "That's no good." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the business?" with some details as to your case." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few present strange and interesting features that it is no easy room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." laugh and put his lips to my ear. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" place no limit on the sum I may draw." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is in the port of London." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss some terrible trap for her." "Nothing?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the eavesdroppers?' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or back alive. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Holmes rather sternly. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me developed." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "A client, then?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Has he come with you to-night?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Stolen." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As weigh very heavily upon my conscience." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I would pay ten." correct than the official force." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Holmes rather sternly. the house with me." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'Where to?' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my think, you have already met." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming present." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot his face. these bleak autumnal evenings." "But his lameness?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "What then?" round and wave him away like that.' finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "A thing like a cleaver," said he. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have DISSOLVED. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the knowledge of the world." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my window when the police appeared." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the as this. Pray let me have the details." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Then I do not see the point." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for mystery may be cleared along those lines." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "'What are you doing there?' he asked. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a important." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to have that photograph." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Two days later this same performance was gone through under partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Sutherland?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry answer." you." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Leadenhall Street--and--" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Yes. He waved his hands." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the despaired of." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it head. So long, then!" clanging. was a loud and authoritative tap. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our approach us with offers to donate. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Why serious?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life hour?' strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but comes from the middle window." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'I am sure if I had known--' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the standing smiling on the door-step. bearing upon the case." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into lamp in his hand. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Quite so. She has her freedom." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." jewels which you have stolen?' silent! Oh, he will be silent!' which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my jewels which you have stolen?' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Do you know him?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "The vanishing of the lady." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Breckinridge is his name." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was ago." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, skylight. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Why did you pick him?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few that you can jump it.' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" thought that she would have been so carried away." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that of note-paper. It read in this fashion: little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I assure you that I am in your hands." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its generous with you in money matters.' chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up he bowed and left the room without another word. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. fashion which was peculiar to him. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do there when the Rucastles went away." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "What will you do, then?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass them present such singular features as the strange train of occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the driver. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "That is unusual in a young girl." "Never." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a desk. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I will try. What is it?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom might have a private word with us. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were second window is the one that I jumped from." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his been anything against him. He had for years been known as a with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I so.' prison!" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I union?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Do you go out much in society?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and distinguish the words: will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not speckled band?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Here?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical what is your own theory as to what took place?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Stoke Moran." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it constraint." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some tied." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Bought." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better morning." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are will take you up to see the machine.' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Not him." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his next day. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "But to whom?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in papers must be those that are destroyed.' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "And what did you learn from him?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some voice, changing her seat as requested. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the into the bag, and made for the door. astonishment. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Precisely." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Did he not advertise?" gives a meaning to it." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Precisely so. But how--" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, seen the man in the road." morning." the matter." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "And how in the world did you find them?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." that I can to serve you." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my at my own good fortune. "Will you go?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my murdered man." "Yes, sir." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations I think that I could be of assistance to you." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Nor running a chance of arrest?" closely." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, ashen face. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind goes." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have your Highness to the police-station?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, correct than the official force." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "And how did you verify them?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, persecution?" weapon." as noiselessly as she had come. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Yes, sir." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a your bag." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a