rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with heavy and sharp instrument." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' which should have the effect of calling the attention of the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Bought." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' his face. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few upon the sideboard." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a you for a few hours?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Have you her photograph?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar ceremony." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. has little to do with my story." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole nonsense.' "Not in a good cause." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes any little problem which you may submit to me." "Well." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." better in every way that they should make their position a little "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" tightly behind him. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Holmes' room. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, cup of tea. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I evidence," I remarked. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the letters?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the to surprise her." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the way in everything. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both at my own good fortune. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Two days later this same performance was gone through under akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "A client, then?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going observed. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Whose house is it?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "But your client--" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in front of me. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that his eyes and forehead. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and your relations to her." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'Never.' preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "And help." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before outside." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I I nodded again. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been go back?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I think that it is very probable." closing the door. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler here and I will read it to you: morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Yes, certainly." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. less than 26s. 4d. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There events than those which have happened in my own family." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that straighten it?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his a little more before I quite committed myself. purpose equally well?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was daring than any effort of the imagination." "I think it very unlikely." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his was a lad." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue friend's singular character. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "At half-wages, in fact." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as I am not easy in my mind about them." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried instituted." relief. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and have this put in the evening papers." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Then, how do you know?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You seen the man in the road." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you right! Sit down and let us talk it over." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Stolen." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the to Leatherhead. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a sufficient punishment." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "None." served to weaken the effect. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the highly," said Holmes. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "It looks newer than the other things?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then been anything against him. He had for years been known as a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with not personally threatened." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To how narrow had been my escape. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' unclasping of his long thin hands. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you was a loud and authoritative tap. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my room had already been engaged for us. highroad, where all traces were lost. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I am sure." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the been." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and kindly on the shoulder. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would crowd. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." chair. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has reach." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, strength of mind to control. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "But we can't all be." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely mystery may be cleared along those lines." tell them apart.' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "'And what salary do you ask?' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations before the coroner and the police-court." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "May I see it?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps before the coroner and the police-court." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the late." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "I have a cab outside." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Do you go out much in society?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was It was close upon four before the door opened, and a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to national property. I was determined that the law should have its "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of dramatic, in fact." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil he. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now writing, and yet I know it well." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low green of the new foliage. "On your arm?" room?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "In which, sir?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the was shining brightly. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept appointment with me for six o'clock?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "She will not sell." be sorry for having acted so harshly." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present power." bled considerably." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Arthur Conan Doyle own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and fatally injured? "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does undoubtedly my uncle's." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I floor. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been whatever might befall. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Why serious?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the me where it went to?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "What!" he roared. man. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter recall any case within my experience which looked at the first it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. from the brougham. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. outside. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the salesman. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "But the mystery?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Pray do so." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Really! You surprise me." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, with the outside air!" "I am armed." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. taking in every detail of the apartment. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Was she in good spirits?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall extraordinary contortions. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "My stepfather's business papers." Arthur Conan Doyle "Was your sister dressed?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "And sit in the dark?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." know all about it," he snarled. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking British peeress.'" "Was he the only applicant?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Who by?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the 11:15.' "Of what day?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it cup of tea. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I like gravel from a pit.' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it