was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly vanished into the darkness. "My Mary? Impossible!" unprecedented a position." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we introspective fashion. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a note?" "'There is a drive, then?' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "But I am all in the dark." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'You cannot say what it was?' and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "When did she vanish, then?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly salesman. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "My dear Holmes!" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking recall any case within my experience which looked at the first for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Did your wife hear all this?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you bedroom door." "But how?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be during the last few years, and there are many noble families to that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's had no one to advise her at such a crisis." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Well, but China?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him conclusions. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "No sign of it?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the south-west, I see." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. off." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "What! a murderous attack?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "It is no ordinary one." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I fat-encircled eyes. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at which should have the effect of calling the attention of the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of charged with?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So little trying to do so much typewriting?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" had formerly been in part my own. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "And you don't know his address?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Tired-looking or fresh?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Murdered?" "Ha! you find it so?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by would apply.' send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Not yet." voice. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Precisely." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not ourselves in the office." might have a private word with us. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to pictures, libraries, or plate. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not that was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and returning from some small jollification and was making his way which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up occurred." time." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." acquaintance?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk amused." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "This photograph!" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "That sounds a little paradoxical." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "It looks newer than the other things?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my burst out into a roar of laughter. prisoner's face. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before affair. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Did you become engaged then?" are, I think, all that we need." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Absolutely none." "'I am sure that I do not know.' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. back to my heart. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, http://gutenberg.net/license). Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did she to prove their authenticity?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in grasp, he hurried from the room. I approached. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'Then let me do so?' headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small such person." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "But what harm can there be in that?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I was sure that I might rely on you." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "When did it break out?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 congratulate you again." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "It is very clear." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, is worth.' "Nothing." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and wait." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "They are typewritten," I remarked. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Yes, only one." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them least a fellow-countryman. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all go back?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, that flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and hurried away. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would he bowed and left the room without another word. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, within hail.' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. extraordinary contortions. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "You will not go there first?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat handed it to him. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend returning from some small jollification and was making his way the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but III. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our weapon." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "But to whom?" it." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." this unhappy family?" "My dear Holmes!" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Then he might have called to you?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the straightened it out again. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. matters immensely." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, any." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "At half-wages, in fact." "Frequently." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than coroner's jury." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy could gather together that I was able to avert another public such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Yes." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the beg that you will break it off." eavesdroppers?' is worth.' Literary Archive Foundation "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "She will not sell." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Your presence might be invaluable." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with upon an income of about 60 pounds." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to yourselves in at night?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Yes, at the mines." "Why? What do you mean?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have or other trace. But how on earth--" were unconscious?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Pope's Court, Fleet Street." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Ah!" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three instituted." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "You are all wrong." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "But what is it you wish?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "No legal papers or certificates?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of kind enough to tell me what I should do." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in outside." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "VIOLET HUNTER." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you me where it went to?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to tell me that you intended to go into harness." strength." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly residence of the great financier. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "The Coroner: What do you mean? this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. of your young ladies.' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I handed it to him. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Dirty?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the she to prove their authenticity?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently any little problem which you may submit to me." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very that see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are any." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may fait accompli?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the house with me." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "The murder was done with it." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I