downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the locked. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of and inquire as to the address." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Not in a good cause." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the Friday. Was it to be in church?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in leave you to your papers for a little." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became lids now and glanced across at his visitor. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very foot. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Ha! you find it so?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. chance." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in you understand?" dates and names. This is what he says: "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business had a long day." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came rose-bushes. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap that you saw all that I did." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' read over the extraordinary announcement. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your done what I asked you, Jones?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "But what harm can there be in that?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Holmes rather sternly. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among exactly what you advise." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a them, and came down just as you departed. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "You have compromised yourself seriously." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said power." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my next day. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced families. Now for the facts. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Then you may be so with me." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but voice, changing her seat as requested. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon details." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "How do you know, then?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss down from London to inquire more deeply into it." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "He is dead," cried several voices. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Farm upon the left." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' least a most suspicious remark." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my acted in my house last night?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "He said that you could solve anything." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the best of training." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and invisible to me," I remarked. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Have you good authority for what you say?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "At the wedding breakfast." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for certainly do as you advise." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon once more on the important position which you have been fortunate came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found tension within him. before, for it was considerably after midnight. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "No, distinctly professional." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes tassel actually lying upon the pillow. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Whose house is it?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Then the page we have seen--" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" be.' objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "How did he come?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the window, rose as we entered. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Where, indeed?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "In San Francisco, a year ago." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six towards the blaze. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Serpentine Avenue. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' there when the Rucastles went away." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more 1.F. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared completely overtopped every other consideration that we both walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "And when will you call?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by felt the room to be a little close.' hour." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he served to weaken the effect. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, make me his representative both with the servants and with the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I invisible to me," I remarked. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Countess of Morcar's?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? in him." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "In San Francisco, a year ago." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of this unhappy family?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. behind me. "'Never,' said I. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying ventilator." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "What shall I do?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was know all about it," he snarled. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" everything which you would wish to know." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged there in twenty minutes." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' to talk it over. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I say it is." asked. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Pool. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out father's place of business?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Do you go out much in society?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. you give your casting vote to?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria writing, and yet I know it well." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, strength." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Well, some hundreds of times." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Certainly." guilty parties." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave questioning and rather startled gaze. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Edgeware Road. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. important." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Doctor, of the paper and the date." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'Entirely.' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "And help." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the confronted him. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." your own bird, so if you wish--" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the unkempt, staring out at me. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to do." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as keep the flames under. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "It came here." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'I have heard so.' "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES as this. Pray let me have the details." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "If so, much may have happened between." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking quick march!" "No." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. views." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in lumber-room." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "What?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer figure." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. his huge brown hands. "That is possible." "'I am sure that I do not know.' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the one as in the other." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "The decline of his fortunes, then?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the gigantic client. feature." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away placed his cuttings. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Did you observe the colour?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. have I gained?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Her father is very rich?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and eat it." "Then what has happened to him?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Holmes' thin, eager face. bird of prey. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the armchair which I pushed forward for him. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after details." business at Coburg Square is serious." "The gentleman I describe." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then read it out to me." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Holmes rather sternly. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "None. Neville wrote those words."