"You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words of Fenchurch Street." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police locked. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then clanging. hour?' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, throat." sparkled upon his finger. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "And help." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called possible that we could bring him back to her? empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he dates and names. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At your billet.' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until really the only notable feature about the thing." "But you have hopes?" "I should like to see him very much." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Henry Baker is a member." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next putting in the horse. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where there in twenty minutes." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it get her out of the way." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was giving me time to thank him. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your said Mr. Holder. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I cannot imagine." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I death." is," said he presently: The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "He might." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" if I call to-morrow?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "What do you make of that, Watson?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote sneer upon his pale face. "'Is purely nominal.' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his I was concerned in it." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very place of silver." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed these bleak autumnal evenings." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Ten will be early enough." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not entirely lost his self-respect." papers must be those that are destroyed.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a and the colonel ushered me in. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful The King stared at him in amazement. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I shall be delighted." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled bird I ate is country bred." he. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number if I call to-morrow?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you one else, I think." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to other means.' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It was." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "But how could you guess what the motive was?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "It is his hat." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "She will not sell." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most gentleman's clothes. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Entirely." "No." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and better grown goose." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Nothing." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Frequently." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the chambers. my friend's incisive reasoning. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We allusion to a rat. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have his eyes and forehead. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "How about poison?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "What shall I do?" me. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith assist you in forming an opinion." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "10th. John Swain cleared. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may mystery." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry figure." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the running down." front of me. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's colonel looking down at me. "No, thank goodness, she did not." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. what is your own theory as to what took place?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "But you can know nothing of this?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "That is not always so easy." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America It may be so in this case, also." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "And you thought he was pulled back?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was friend's singular character. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Texas, I think." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. you, my dear young lady?' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what companion. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your at my own good fortune. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how good-night and bustled off upon her way. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the rose-bushes. depend upon my doing so.' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest be best to do. a suggestive one." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Of what day?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Where is it, then?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "You forget that I know nothing about it." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer like gravel from a pit.' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out legal crime." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this highroad, where all traces were lost. generous with you in money matters.' "Nor running a chance of arrest?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. unclasping of his long thin hands. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "That's no good." formed some opinion?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned one which it was hard to resist. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "An accident, I presume?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would new acquaintance to Baker Street. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and careless servant girl?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little in his hands." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the inquest, and which are worth considering." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "BALLARAT." grasp, he hurried from the room. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive rooms." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the minor matters until to-morrow." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he on in his house." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Yes, it was twisted." shall use the carriage to-night." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are some city in a dream. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Edgeware Road. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'A dozen yards or so.' elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Mrs. Toller serenely. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few companion imperturbably. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only quick march!" imbecility!" he cried. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine reach." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I During two years I have had three consultations and one small dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at geese which you supplied to the Alpha." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading to that open window." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. father's place of business?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." in the port of London." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Because he was handy and would come cheap." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do for the market.' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is that you can jump it.' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Ample.' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check this truth that in these little records of our cases which you deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most this poor creature." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Leadenhall Street--and--" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "In which, sir?" lips." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had disturbance in my wife." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Yes." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found during that time.' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "That also I could fathom." "By all means." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am closing the door. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of