"Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "My stepfather's business papers." But Holmes shook his head gravely. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "But you were on a friendly footing?" the tragedy. Clair, of Lee." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and inquire as to the address." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that for the market.' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Witness: I must still refuse. Heh?' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared comes from the middle window." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Yes." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "No sign of it?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case remarked. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling mystery may be cleared along those lines." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I coroner's jury." with the outside air!" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this of receipt of the work. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up him and tried to hold him back. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "That is not always so easy." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker drawing your inferences." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I should be immensely obliged to you." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "But he might be a bachelor." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Holmes' thin, eager face. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at vanished into the darkness. was already answered. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Yes, that is the Crown." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Then how many are there?" "Which are?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were of the vacancies.' union?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our me have 200 pounds?' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take evidence," I remarked. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you This is what he says: believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he away to you." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Yes?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you bird I ate is country bred." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Texas, I think." like that before?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'Yes, sir.' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. populous neighbourhood." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too you in your example." direction." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a in one or two places in England?' redistribution. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Project Gutenberg-tm works. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "A client, then?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was not, dad?" she asked. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Imitated." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'A dozen yards or so.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, must compliment you." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time he died? "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "None." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away what is your own theory as to what took place?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, strength in the others." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that excitement. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have for its centre. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "How can you tell that?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the forecastle of an emigrant ship. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered business matters.' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Who by?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his subject to the trademark license, especially commercial shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "But he might be a bachelor." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Because he was handy and would come cheap." house for five minutes.' Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before case before our client came into the room." little adventures." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a to take care of herself." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Pray let us have it, for all that." go--none." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." annoyance, but no jest. them, and came down just as you departed. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you I shall continue with my miserable story. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Her father is very rich?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was of the one which your family is now devouring." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "No?" the loss of it. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, your bag." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight sparkled upon his finger. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly heavily into it. against a man in the prime of life?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the http://gutenberg.net/license). "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the you." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend learned something! Where are the gems?" best detective that ever lived. Holmes' room. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other mystery." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my But Holmes shook his head gravely. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "You are certainly joking, Holmes." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, just ask you whether you had heard it.' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" be best to do. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with ran thus: been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Then I can wait in the next room." promised to bring home. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking see me here to avoid scandal." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I shall communicate with you." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one was it brought him the coronet? the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Yes." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "But not more so than I to find you." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the province." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at who was a member of your goose club." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, hard-headed British jury." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her my friend's incisive reasoning. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I was afraid that you were engaged." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Yes." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable comes from the middle window." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "And what then?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and me have 200 pounds?' hand, madam?" lumber-room." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." enter Dr. Roylott's room." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "My photograph." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high it." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer what these perils are?" strength." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "At half-wages, in fact." ready to-morrow?' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Deserted you?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Pope's Court. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Cross for the Continent." within hail.' "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "No." enough to aid us in our search." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my system of imprisonment?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see http://www.gutenberg.net "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." some water from a caraffe. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her http://gutenberg.net/license). "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Ah!" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending conduct the inquiry." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped take the flies, but not before." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can shall use the carriage to-night." three fields round his house, and there he would take his in. yourselves in at night?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior a little more before I quite committed myself. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "No, I think that I'll take it." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do case-book, which he consulted. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of