This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill you understand?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late eat it." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered what these perils are?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "May I see it?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made III. may never be exposed to such a temptation." October 9, 1890. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." questioning and rather startled gaze. which it had come upon my father." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I am armed." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Henry Baker is a member." bird I ate is country bred." "My photograph." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just figure." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the tragedy. green of the new foliage. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Then I can wait in the next room." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'What would be the hours?' I asked. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the nursery. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Well, it is a possible supposition." "10th. John Swain cleared. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Come in!" said Holmes. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction with some details as to your case." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Her father is very rich?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'Is purely nominal.' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in gone. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Perhaps we may make them less so." nights." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and said he. it." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Certainly." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "My dear Holmes!" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "9th. McCauley cleared. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were would then never go into court at all." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to them, and came down just as you departed. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. long narrative. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "But the mystery?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "What is it, then--a fire?" "What?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the Red-headed League." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. sneer upon his pale face. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a think, you have already met." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my is," said he presently: fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas purpose of examination. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it directors have had misgivings upon the subject." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Surrey." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Yes, I have one waiting." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from country, and eventually married, without anyone having a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. I have it here in my museum." "And how?" comes from the middle window." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough views." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the green of the new foliage. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have answered with a sidelong glance. said he. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point this as likely?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Yes." "Yes." meant." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Where is it, then?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is what do you think they found in the pockets?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of appointment with me for six o'clock?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I shall be delighted." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Where, then, is my wife?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their signal between you and your father? have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. States. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had secret." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." question," said Holmes, smiling. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "My dear Holmes!" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about soul! here is her carriage at the door." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest business matters.' invisible to me," I remarked. "Tired-looking or fresh?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault bore every mark of being an average commonplace British silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most little trying to do so much typewriting?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "And leave your case unfinished?" You want to know what became of those geese?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I was sure that I might rely on you." "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "And how?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then very morning of my second wedding." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I will, Miss Turner." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "How did he come?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a in the port of London." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that lips." It may be so in this case, also." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "My last client of the sort was a king." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Yes?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a that I am arrested." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I time." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the iron safe, which he closed upon it. this Miss Turner." where she found matters as described by the last witness. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Yes, the wine-cellar." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." stalked out of the room. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing invisible to me," I remarked. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. prisoner's face. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or cigars in the box." McCarthy's innocence. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' showing my impatience. constraint." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated knowledge of the world." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the running down." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he drove away. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what fear." "They are typewritten," I remarked. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "A client, then?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'Yes, I promise.' is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you would then never go into court at all." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor wanted for ourselves." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair that he will be back before evening." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "But how?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived tightly behind him. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Have you it here?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was was it brought him the coronet? from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our be sorry for having acted so harshly." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew fled together." but preventing her from injuring another. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, it." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" hardly wander." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Is he quiet?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was true." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "If so, much may have happened between." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, in darkness. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my she slowly sank and died without having recovered her he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I cannot tell." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for remarked. "Texas, I think." "What is it, then--a fire?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured crackling voice. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "A thing like a cleaver," said he. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle clanging. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "It is true that I have been generally successful." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. strength in the others." better in every way that they should make their position a little But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is disturbance in my wife." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A said Mr. Holder. mysterious end." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Stolen!' he cried. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and the colonel ushered me in. his knees, staring into the fire. sparkled upon his finger. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire