interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "It is no ordinary one." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very miles off. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that joking. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of undoubtedly my uncle's." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "And I to find an enemy." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." leave you to your papers for a little." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, criminal. We have already had experience of such." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next presented which may be striking and bizarre without being The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we children over to America with him, so that I found myself without as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you ourselves in the office." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because chance." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his back alive. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the direction." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a happened." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs character. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Never." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, could not have written that. It is the German who is so doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Pool. enter into my head. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "And how?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they despair." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have you give your casting vote to?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we retorted upon me, and I on you." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has empty. the warnings." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the in my life." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Where did he live, then?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, crime." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had lost nothing by them." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and just called myself is not exactly my own." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, to a more successful conclusion." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who been deceived." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "In heaven's name, what for?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Holmes' face clouded over. read it out to me." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "What is it, then--a fire?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "And the murderer?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Then I am your man." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "This photograph!" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the even so self-evident a thing as that." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less bird of prey. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out think that he is innocent?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Imitated." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "His face fell immediately. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Why, what do you mean?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that not fit the lock." murdered man." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and in the port of London." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a there is a decided draught." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "The doctor?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, distinguish the words: hair?' This is what he says: "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "I am armed." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Holmes' face clouded over. suddenly upon us." went to the Alpha were town bred." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back up this clue while it is still hot." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'And the work?' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "But his left-handedness." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "It missed him, then?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "The rest you will leave in our hands." to-night?" I asked. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "But you were on a friendly footing?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" row." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily 1.F. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must in. "She walked into the breakfast-room." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. wedding?" "What, then?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the iron safe, which he closed upon it. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom mysterious end." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same other lovers by making love himself." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." your Highness to the police-station?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have sparkled upon his finger. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. depend upon my doing so.' he. whether it answered to the description of any of their a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step returned to France?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "There are none." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in at a side door. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Do you go out much in society?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "What have you to say now?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "9th. McCauley cleared. for securing the situation." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "When did she vanish, then?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." second window is the one that I jumped from." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this him, that man would not have given me such complete information "No, distinctly professional." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend hopeless attempt at recovering them." know all about it," he snarled. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day people don't know." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the and have this put in the evening papers." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look ways including including checks, online payments and credit card significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance handed it to him. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in sofa. This way, please!" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." were wasted." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently feature." "Why, what do you mean?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Then let me do so?' you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or in his power. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the at my own good fortune. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. that there was nothing in it, after all." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would been shamefully used." "Then, as to money?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" highly," said Holmes. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Was the window open?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "You think so, too?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." washing it down with a long draught of water. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though presume?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I have seen the police." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty beg that you will break it off." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in before, for it was considerably after midnight. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two James Windibank. Voilà tout!" nice household for a young lady." "Then what has happened to him?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among my former friend and companion. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 hour?' All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who not as remarkable as your advertisement." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'You doubt its value?' he asked. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "That is possible." he. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence anything to do with the matter?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. it." It may be so in this case, also." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'It is locked up,' I answered. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. straighten it?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a The events in question occurred in the early days of my "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon out." "But I am all in the dark." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few bled considerably." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but forbidden door. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm chance." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "And how in the world did you find them?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "To the police?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my heavy and sharp instrument." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in drove away. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, spare."