"That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. tell me that you intended to go into harness." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a fashion which was peculiar to him. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit second window is the one that I jumped from." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but front of me. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and past. at my own good fortune. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return habit of advancing money.' opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main mystery may be cleared along those lines." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Stolen, then." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'In my own bureau.' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my quite distinctive." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was made his money." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a little trying to do so much typewriting?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Not particularly." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had I was concerned in it." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such chamber." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Precisely." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, interest. They are important, you understand, without being was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to in the hope of finding them." chill to my heart. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that answered with a sidelong glance. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." politicians who had been sent down from the North. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, For additional contact information: the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the stones. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. him nearly every evening." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Did you become engaged then?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended his wife has ceased to love him." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was lost his Christmas dinner." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Yes, it was twisted." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we man. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence will be renamed. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of His smile broadened. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the your equipment. made him keep the appointment." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord quickly through a disagreeable task. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'Oh, no.' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers go back?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Ah!" taking in every detail of the apartment. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the at home. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and himself in a perplexing position. new acquaintance to Baker Street. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "What is it?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the during that time.' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Was there a secret marriage?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, signal between you and your father? the one as in the other." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for think you a quite exceptional woman." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! would apply.' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "There is the writing." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "What?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony figure." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the matter?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab keep the flames under. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself showing my impatience. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "At what time?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Pope's Court. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "It is no ordinary one." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain States. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "There is the writing." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning works. See paragraph 1.E below. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "What then?" discontent upon his features. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. highroad, where all traces were lost. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the new duties?' Mrs. Toller serenely. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal problems help me to do so." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, investigation." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the coronet in his hands?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "The King of Scandinavia." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I fear not." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Yes. He waved his hands." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me respectable self." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my existence." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I spare." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have front of the hall door has given its name to the place. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he corner of the building. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Did you observe the colour?" "I guessed as much." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the John Swain, of St. Augustine. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "And now?" I asked. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Oh, fresh and glossy." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, them, and came down just as you departed. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the general public were present, then?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a is," said he presently: "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "And why in hopes?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "And what did you see?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Absolutely none." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to lost his Christmas dinner." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the stable lane now." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the pound a week." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and one of the states of the Union." learned something! Where are the gems?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." later, upon the night of May 2nd." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took all?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with to go into your room and bar your shutters?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing new duties?' unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of your young ladies.' "What, then, did Peterson do?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I tail." woven round him. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in For additional contact information: stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Nothing?" other lovers by making love himself." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." joking. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his sparkled upon his finger. mysterious business." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This back into the street. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'Oh, no.' find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'What would be the hours?' I asked. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of see me here to avoid scandal." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "How on earth--" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Countess of Morcar's?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat and that he would see to anything that turned up. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not me what he had done with the three missing stones. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "But who is he?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "There are none." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked it means?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "None." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "My dear Holmes!" Where does the thing come from?' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer been shamefully used." thought that she would have been so carried away." "How can you tell that?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "And now?" He raised his hand. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied be. Street. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "You saw the ventilator, too?" the child." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I have seen the police." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the confronted him. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "None." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "And what did you see?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical