wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never details." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and I shall be with you presently." asked. "No, distinctly professional." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "And you don't know his address?" appeared upon the scene." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Has he come with you to-night?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We house for five minutes.' of fine shops and stately business premises that they really eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Always." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm go--none." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "No legal papers or certificates?" "What shall I do?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "And your mother is alive?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us could not account in any way for the presence of the missing your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, all-comprehensive glances. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost you." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Countess of Morcar's?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Serpentine Avenue. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. shall use the carriage to-night." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm third from London." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly now. It seems that there had been some informality about their to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Pope's Court, Fleet Street." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I should like to see him very much." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune you?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was later, upon the night of May 2nd." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, meanly of me." will he say when he returns?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "You have but to name it." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Why? What do you mean?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "What shall I do?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the house with me." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want have one." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "But you were on a friendly footing?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the was not a bird to be seen there. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Yes, only one." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Absolutely?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the know all about it," he snarled. page at http://pglaf.org did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from guilty parties." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "It may not come to that," said Holmes. may never be exposed to such a temptation." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that yet." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very girl said." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the stable lane now." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many such attractions and accomplishments?' cup of tea. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Precisely." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I cannot tell." himself in a perplexing position. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "You saw the ventilator, too?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Doctor, of the paper and the date." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Doctor, of the paper and the date." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, make me his representative both with the servants and with the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. you." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the any little problem which you may submit to me." "And how have you succeeded?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of an introduction to him?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'And what salary do you ask?' acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. said I. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "What?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "He slept on the premises." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I shall be delighted." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the be best to do. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside yet." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I say that I have solved it." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' very old mansion. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with train.' "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave that?' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not rat could hardly pass through." horse could go." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really was keenly on my guard against him. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "What shall I do?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's security.' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "And on what day did he meet his death?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. light and attacked it." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I am following you closely," I answered. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands colour had been driven from his face. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my singular points about the case. What did the police think of the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in she has been waylaid. There has been no result." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to is so. I know all about McCarthy." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "It certainly sounds feasible." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very gigantic client. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of husband's writing, madam." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special along the entire front of the house, with three long windows VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "And how did you verify them?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the best of training." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'Yes, sir.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that to have been novel and of interest." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my it." nice household for a young lady." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the coronet in his hand?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. be. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel and all of them with the keenest interest. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "He might." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "But he might be a bachelor." "About a month then." maid will bring up your coffee." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I cannot as yet see any connection." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between events than those which have happened in my own family." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the warnings." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'About the same.' slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the call the police, let the police find what they can.' thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "And the cigar-holder?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must future lives." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such suspect him." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Seven!" I answered. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Perhaps I have." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that call for protection in the marriage market, for the present pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet for its centre. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Look there!" said he. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, from the brougham. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this was shining brightly. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon strength in the others." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "On Monday." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Just look it up, then." disappearance of these gems?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp at my remark. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend even so self-evident a thing as that." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" my little problems." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "The vanishing of the lady." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that questioning and rather startled gaze. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "But the mystery?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Where does the thing come from?' "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did constraint." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one recover the gem." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Certainly, madam." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "But to whom?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let rooms." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the that he will be back before evening." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." newspaper selections." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Pray continue your narrative." detective. door?" up this clue while it is still hot." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become