habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which and the whole place is in a blaze." noble correspondent could be. to take care of herself." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took breakfast." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "And that is--" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in His smile broadened. "And why?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, is acting for the best. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'Certainly not.' "Have you her photograph?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Holmes, the busybody!" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "So I heard. You have him here?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my taking in every detail of the apartment. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "He said too much." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, held up the lantern and gazed about him. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "But you were on a friendly footing?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is to surprise her." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'What, the red-headed man?' "But who is he?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always matter." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds spark where all is dark to me." giving me time to thank him. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is some place of shelter and let the county police know what has my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at money should be paid at once.' clanging. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing shoulder. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could floor. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "What! Had he lost his wife?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "And for present expenses?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The was used.' "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "But what harm can there be in that?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." affair. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive cheerful." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Certainly." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, observed. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. not fit the lock." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Where does the thing come from?' troubles have been weighing upon his mind. security.' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so suspect him." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now arms and began to sob in a high treble key. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "You are all wrong." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble figure." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" opened the door, and slipped through. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, into the room. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, go from here to the Strand." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." other lovers by making love himself." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of maid will bring up your coffee." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 your troubles." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "ARAT," I read. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works deduce something from that?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Was your sister dressed?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'I have heard so.' remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I cannot tell." "Yes, that is the Crown." upon an income of about 60 pounds." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the think, you have already met." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. fait accompli?" and capable of preserving a secret.' ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last note?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Yes." been with you?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the to take care of herself." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Of what day?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." have accepted such a situation. shall not find me ungrateful." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling make me his representative both with the servants and with the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone strength of mind to control. forbidden door. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of she to prove their authenticity?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "But I have heard all that you have heard." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "No, finished." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I in a very precise fashion." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "But I have heard all that you have heard." may have an influence upon European history." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress strong and stiff." "Yes?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the I approached. he bowed and left the room without another word. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been of the one which your family is now devouring." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be married her." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge impression behind it as though a window had gently closed imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a voice. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign The note was undated, and without either signature or address. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in society." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and the colonel ushered me in. bell. Holmes whistled. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with official police." I was concerned in it." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was better grown goose." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" it means?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some anything to do with the matter?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought both be extremely obliged.' what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the driver. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "What then?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all upon the sideboard." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" absorbing." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to will be renamed. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the details." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler most important business. It is probable that he will be away all really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter The note was undated, and without either signature or address. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE coat-tails." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The bears upon the case?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried this as likely?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "I am armed." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Lee, in the county of Kent." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." that I am arrested." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, be best to do. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, of receipt of the work. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave cigar and let me expound." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'Stolen!' he cried. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the best of training." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a with some details as to your case." "The gentleman I describe." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this it." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked me what he had done with the three missing stones. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an towards the blaze. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "I am about to be married." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "On the contrary, this is the right side." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether observed. "I will do it." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one I shall communicate with you." or in danger--" my friend's incisive reasoning. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before to have that photograph." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every