Holmes." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. to talk it over. "Very much so." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in examine." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange wedding?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has individual and becomes the badge of a society." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it annoyance, but no jest. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable as noiselessly as she had come. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Street. never to learn it at all." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Pray do so." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. very old mansion. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'Yes, sir.' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I lost nothing by them." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "That is it on the dressing-table." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal and put his glass in his pocket. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "You know me, then?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Sutherland?" during that time.' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then of receipt of the work. to tackle the facts." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I am all attention, madam." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who burst into a hearty fit of laughter. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in at home. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Yes, sir.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She woman who has had her own way to make in the world. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I cannot imagine." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "What!" he roared. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must question. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill this remarkable episode. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Holmes. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'Ample.' tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Look there!" said he. awkward doing business with an alias." have one." look dissatisfied." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Witness: Nothing definite. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Yes." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "This photograph!" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "My last client of the sort was a king." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the little opening for the ventilator is." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I beg pardon." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me The King stared at him in amazement. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "And what did you learn from him?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Watson," he said cordially. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "None." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge never came back." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "And it is--" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was that?' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a character. "'And the work?' steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in appeared upon the scene." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss eat it." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Perhaps I have." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. tell me that you intended to go into harness." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought village inn over there?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself to you." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that chill to my heart. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah that you saw all that I did." 11:15.' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are I. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given about. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Well?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Quite so." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event hurried by. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "On the contrary, this is the right side." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "How often?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" prisoner's face. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and were wasted." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of occupations.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Holmes' thin, eager face. "Of what day?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'Where could I find him?' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, directly by questioning you." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him upon the sideboard." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "He said too much." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your a little more before I quite committed myself. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main of it with the greatest attention. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled was a loud and authoritative tap. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that any more." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the be there in time for your coming." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she photograph?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, go--none." without a word or a look. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I am sure." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in what I may call a really hard day's work." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the devil!" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to said he at last. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt IS "Bought." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for look upon these things in a different way." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided attention." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "That also I could fathom." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of where we are going." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most think you a quite exceptional woman." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and glanced through. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Well?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child as this. Pray let me have the details." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Where, indeed?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I will get her to show me." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Yes." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Holmes, the busybody!" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty