his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "No, finished." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for go back?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I think it very unlikely." pictures, libraries, or plate. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I fear not." not come at once?" should be taken.' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "To an end?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door went to the Alpha were town bred." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked during that time.' for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but his eyes and forehead. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the closely." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is keep the flames under. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend assist you in forming an opinion." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "I was sure that I might rely on you." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "And sit in the dark?" "I will try. What is it?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside long narrative. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Nearly eleven." shall not find me ungrateful." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'How far from the body?' "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor daring than any effort of the imagination." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked of the one which your family is now devouring." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." views." presented more singular features than that which was associated "And why?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears forbidden door. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Yes, sir." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Witness: It was. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I have solved it." minor matters until to-morrow." everything which you would wish to know." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" and effective." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the nursery. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and arrangements." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's tapping his fingers upon the table. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To works. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Will you go?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their shoulder. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he read it out to me." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'What, the red-headed man?' "'I am sure if I had known--' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Tired-looking or fresh?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. there has been an enclosure here!" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project attention." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, a room. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the have got?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the him and tried to hold him back. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced society." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving derbies." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." do.' neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from once more. "Whose house is it?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "No, thank goodness, she did not." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Why serious?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "What of the rat, then?" again." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and him." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "No. His orders were to stay in the house." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side bare slabs of marble. narrative." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, his face. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Then I am your man." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur call for it in person on Monday morning.' had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door strength of mind to control. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, place of silver." girl said." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I have hopes." you." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if skylight. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "The murder was done with it." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" six. Come in!" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it here and I will read it to you: his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. little adventures." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "It missed him, then?" "The landlord of the Alpha." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will it." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are something of him before." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out present." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Has he come with you to-night?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, arrangements." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the me. thought that she would have been so carried away." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and had a long day." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "And is that all?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all there were so many in the whole country as were brought together a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "You horrify me." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in burst out into a roar of laughter. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were nothing with him." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, him. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel over with notes and figures. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed hardly wander." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Sutherland?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the so far?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake is worth.' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said I leave." question. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate of his shoulders. away to you." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'How far from the body?' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Seven!" I answered. felt?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Arthur Conan Doyle strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "'Stolen!' he cried. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The is entirely a question of barometric pressure." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself with the outside air!" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you definite end. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Pray let us have it, for all that." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a guilty parties." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "On your arm?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "How on earth--" husband's writing, madam." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully sentimental considerations in the background which would induce this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will to arrive at through this?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black at my remark. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry examine." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the The King stared at him in amazement. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the coronet in his hand?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a charged with?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I saw her in conversation with her maid." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. fait accompli?" better grown goose." You want to know what became of those geese?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and him." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Then I am your man." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get foresight and the moral retrogression?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding pity, because in other respects you would really have done very he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and crowd. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." was keenly on my guard against him. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot