"That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in all?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we newspaper selections." learned something! Where are the gems?" and wait." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. him to go away.' was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the general public were present, then?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post useful material for showing traces. The double line a little rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and have this put in the evening papers." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was relief. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I should wish to." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. friend's singular character. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery he. the room while you explain this matter?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" astonishment. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and capable of preserving a secret.' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Never." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying article?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had province." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter DISSOLVED. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "No legal papers or certificates?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I cannot tell." "Oh, fresh and glossy." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "A greater distance to travel." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Witness: I must still refuse. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "But I am all in the dark." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle brought there to personate someone, and the real person is appeal." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The 'please.'" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" you." is," said he presently: anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "No, I had a dozen." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. him to go away.' "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl disturbance in my wife." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he and inquire as to the address." "But you were on a friendly footing?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad fled together." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the roots. chance at all." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." invisible to me," I remarked. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever to tell." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "You horrify me!" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Munro.' with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "How do you know, then?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I have my revolver," said I. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "But his lameness?" cigars in their mouths. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Where, then?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in this truth that in these little records of our cases which you You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Perfectly so." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the coronet at all injured?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. have one." was a loud and authoritative tap. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and acquaintance?" second window is the one that I jumped from." the night.' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out populous neighbourhood." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "My Mary? Impossible!" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would were wasted." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that 'I should be able to look after that for you.' it were putty." promised to bring home. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a she to prove their authenticity?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you main points of my analysis." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put drove away. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Just look it up, then." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has chamber." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Texas, I think." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and true." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the inner apartment." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the four million human beings all jostling each other within the "My photograph." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "What, then?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Serpentine Avenue. at my own good fortune. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters tapping his fingers upon the table. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to address. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "It is very kind of you." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Holmes' thin, eager face. "And it is--" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "What is it?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the entirely lost his self-respect." fear." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William where we are going." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It prepare for the new role I have to play." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "You know me, then?" families. Now for the facts. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the public press." "To ruin me." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you new duties?' in the hope of finding them." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you outside. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "And on what day did he meet his death?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'Ample.' "Yes, it would be as well." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and have accepted such a situation. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I know where it is." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had presented which may be striking and bizarre without being for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "But who is he?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my despair." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of affair. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a legal crime." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one article?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I cannot as yet see any connection." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have noise which awoke you from your sleep?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears which are rolled in Rotterdam." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never bears upon the case?" "No." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "And I say east," said my patient. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. whereabouts. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "No?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few noble correspondent could be. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. present." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'What then?' I asked. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "That also I could fathom." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from James Windibank. Voilà tout!" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the best of training." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. correct than the official force." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Yes. He waved his hands." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), them?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Dark enough and sinister enough." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'I am sure if I had known--' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "You were travelling in the States?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "To the police?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "But how will you look?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend returned to France?" "And when will you call?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Here?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I am armed." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was kindly on the shoulder. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, you in yours." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "The Cedars?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "An accident, I presume?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Lee, in the county of Kent." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do union?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "But your client--" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found bonnet, and went out." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "So I am. Very much so." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "No. What a strange idea!" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Sutherland. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I himself in a perplexing position. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your hardly wander." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Yes, that is the Crown." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "To ruin me." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I am in hopes that she does." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Count Von Kramm." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the running down." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Clair, of Lee." round and wave him away like that.' and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and union?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked