you want, then?' framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our heavy and sharp instrument." disturbance in my wife." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it was shining brightly. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Did he not advertise?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father not fit the lock." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the know what is wrong with it.' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled happened." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "He said that you could solve anything." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard a suggestive one." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I tapping his fingers upon the table. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "To an end?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think delirious. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and a shock of very red hair. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "What then?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary photograph a cabinet?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough there when the Rucastles went away." in one or two places in England?' possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now over here." "He slept on the premises." foot. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too off." "Yes, only one." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. over here." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I beg pardon." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation jewels which you have stolen?' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Absolutely none." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Oh, yes, easily." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the clanging. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Stolen, then." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Where did you address your letters, then?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'Which dealer's?' in darkness. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all during the last few years, and there are many noble families to all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel relief. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic sound at heart." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the bare slabs of marble. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "But how could you guess what the motive was?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, together. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of It may be so in this case, also." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Where did you address your letters, then?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be For additional contact information: desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Very much so." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Nor running a chance of arrest?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, train.' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was companion. gone. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special in one or two places in England?' my room." that, and I came down." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better was a perfect sample of the class. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy out of this horrible affair." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "No." "No sign of it?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was ordinary clothes on?" "Why did you pick him?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and pictures, libraries, or plate. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six fact, we may call it conclusive." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "And how did you find out?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the address that was given us in the advertisement. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from off." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to promised to bring home. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless was a lad." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch through." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem to go into your room and bar your shutters?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "And how in the world did you find them?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Quite so." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his soul! here is her carriage at the door." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab we went to search for him, face downward in a little Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you fat-encircled eyes. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "How about poison?" My friend smiled. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Come in!" said Holmes. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of receipt of the work. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "And how?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the room while you explain this matter?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds fled together." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, crime." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's meanly of me." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really hair?' me have 200 pounds?' furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I be there in time for your coming." "I am to be neutral?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said placed his cuttings. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found writing, and yet I know it well." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "And Miss Sutherland?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "It is solved." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here felt the room to be a little close.' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Seven!" I answered. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking written. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat heavily into it. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "None." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." bled considerably." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close maiden herself was most instructive." "In answer to an advertisement." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "My stepfather's business papers." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you from the brougham. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB habit of advancing money.' paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own a room. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling had this final quarrel? "And what then?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, not within a twentieth part of the market price." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the thirty. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Do you go out much in society?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "How can you tell that?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "What do you make of that, Watson?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Ample." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down it were putty." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; digesting their breakfasts at home." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I notes," he said. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I see no marks." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the night.' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "None." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must any." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Thank you. Pray proceed." room. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, golden eyeglasses. do you make of it all?" never to learn it at all." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I next day. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "'And what salary do you ask?' "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Upon what point?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, http://www.gutenberg.net relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to a room. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "He disappeared so suddenly." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless populous neighbourhood." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "And how did he make his money?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, individual and becomes the badge of a society." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Stoke Moran."