the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and I shall be with you presently." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who lost nothing by them." "At what time?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps chamber." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Yes." point in the dark hollow of his hand. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the charged with?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and put his glass in his pocket. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and about here speaks of his kindness to him." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. again, where I was soon asleep. tightly behind him. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City disappearance of the bride.'" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "What can you not understand?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now October 9, 1890. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "My photograph." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were passage and a tap at the door. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him maiden herself was most instructive." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'Where could I find him?' flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Was your sister dressed?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am only touch the interest." Holmes' room. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Yes, there are nearly always some there." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after started for the Temple to see my husband. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I this poor creature." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose purpose equally well?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as questionable one." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Arthur Conan Doyle out." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Dr. Becher's." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the there when the Rucastles went away." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "A client, then?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Why serious?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK highroad, where all traces were lost. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A vault. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying future lives." than to us. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the to have been novel and of interest." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present be best to do. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who views." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Was the window open?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his village inn over there?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of my secret was safe in his possession. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. man. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "But not more so than I to find you." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I cannot imagine." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately married her." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to suddenly upon us." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Do you know him?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the best of training." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Was there a secret marriage?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark it means?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was nonsense.' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Ha! you find it so?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Certainly." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up is acting for the best. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "It certainly sounds feasible." the King without delay." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. if she died from some sudden fright." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" fire. You quite follow me?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Perhaps I have." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to crime." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, against a man in the prime of life?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence open." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything four million human beings all jostling each other within the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled giving me time to thank him. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Yes, only one." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "And why?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and gigantic client. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a and the church but not where the lady lived." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess children over to America with him, so that I found myself without tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "By train from Waterloo." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "That is not always so easy." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make out." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, think, you have already met." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I am sure." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round cup of tea. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. companion imperturbably. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, must compliment you." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of present." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel were new raised from a basin. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "When did she vanish, then?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre your own bird, so if you wish--" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "You have compromised yourself seriously." the window, rose as we entered. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning call for it in person on Monday morning.' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his correct than the official force." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the formed some opinion?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "It is possible." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, of it with the greatest attention. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without furiously. "Can I be of assistance?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention conversation I have gathered that they have been married about pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon hardly wander." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "At what time?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in your Highness to the police-station?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Does that suggest anything?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may will take you up to see the machine.' There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Nearly eleven." your equipment. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. obstinate." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'You cannot say what it was?' of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "But it has twice been burgled." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security 11:15.' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to of Mr. Rucastle's." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Your French gold?" shall not find me ungrateful." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "The gentleman I describe." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' which it had come upon my father." "I am following you closely," I answered. and inquire as to the address." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." enter into my head. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and advice." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "He said too much." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Have you her photograph?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are matter." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon we went to search for him, face downward in a little to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one south, for the country is more deserted there." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "But to whom?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I fear not." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a better grown goose." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now placed his cuttings. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until think, you have already met." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the devil!" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Countess of Morcar's?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home out of this horrible affair." your only hope of safety." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg fact, we may call it conclusive." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be prepare for the new role I have to play." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "How do you know, then?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to chill to my heart. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the visitors." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" detective. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "No." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'Where could I find him?' "You did not overhear what they said?" Lee, in the county of Kent." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant."