humiliation." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, a monotonous occupation." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which hard-headed British jury." answer." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "And why?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one present strange and interesting features that it is no easy case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "And who is her maid?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held it." some water from a caraffe. round with crates and massive boxes. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "And Irene Adler?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of with her." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Watson," he said cordially. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's face and glided from the room. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the so-precious time, but come!' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she said he at last. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea dead, shall be safe with us." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." touch that coronet?' that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I will not look." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and minor matters until to-morrow." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what rooms." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by to-night?" I asked. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, are, I think, all that we need." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Yes, all." "So it appears." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which always that they were such commands as a lady might with the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "The best possible." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Your French gold?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love of the way of danger. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "But she will refuse." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Imitated." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Well, it is a possible supposition." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "We have tried and failed." "'Never,' said I. "Where is it, then?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'Certainly,' I answered. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew be.' electronic works spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered weigh very heavily upon my conscience." carriage. It was a chestnut." client, rising. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "One of his hands." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors it means?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "And who is her maid?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "The Cedars?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking went to the Alpha were town bred." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each prisoner's face. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'I have already given you my word.' the salesman. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was questionable one." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window astonishment. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of a little more before I quite committed myself. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one you give your casting vote to?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." you in your example." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" stood on the top of it. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a happened." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in sooner or later she must fall a victim. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen held up the lantern and gazed about him. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon done what I asked you, Jones?" maiden herself was most instructive." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were trifles." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the south-west, I see." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the go--none." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full populous neighbourhood." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Do you know him?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had you in yours." kind enough to tell me what I should do." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my and no precautions can guard against." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, foresight and the moral retrogression?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "No, I had a dozen." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a little trying to do so much typewriting?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "9th. McCauley cleared. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the Assizes." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some than was visible to me." call the police, let the police find what they can.' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., father's place of business?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the then?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "How did you trace it, then?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt handed it to him. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "I see many objections to any such theory." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. or in danger--" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Watson," he said cordially. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." there is a decided draught." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and could gather together that I was able to avert another public on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "It surprised me." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to power." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'As governess?' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest mystery!" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his which our visitor detailed to us. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Won't it ring?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the roots. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Her father is very rich?" "And leave your case unfinished?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." fatally injured? red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a into the bag, and made for the door. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting matter." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now feature." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day call it cruel." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "To an English lawyer named Norton." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight prove to be little relation between the different incidents of reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence of the vacancies.' again before evening." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "It must be recovered." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to such attractions and accomplishments?' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Only as much as we can deduce." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs neither fascinating nor artistic." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we gigantic client. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so fish-monger and a tide-waiter." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to papers must be those that are destroyed.' "The knees of his trousers." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I feature." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Proceed, then." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." man. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. cost them two and thirty pounds." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "No, but the enclosure is." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of he. "I was afraid that you were engaged." crime." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "And when will you call?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your License. You must require such a user to return or across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent arms and began to sob in a high treble key. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. this unhappy family?" will not take me long to tell. ventilator." and wait."