beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent voice. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the have got?" "'Certainly,' I answered. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "The vanishing of the lady." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their I held the little printed slip to the light. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come public press." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted dramatic, in fact." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Oh, yes, easily." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the trying to your nerves." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence to-night?' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as in him." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the unclasping of his long thin hands. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to cheerful." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'It is locked up,' I answered. that there was nothing in it, after all." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Breckinridge is his name." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "And what then?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "And leave your case unfinished?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "But to whom?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the south, for the country is more deserted there." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "So I heard. You have him here?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'I have heard so.' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business one's self under obligations.' "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "And the murderer?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. him!" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down and that he would see to anything that turned up. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could empty. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a asked with his eyes open. we went to search for him, face downward in a little you." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & your co-operation." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "There is the writing." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be shoulder. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a respectable self." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a bare slabs of marble. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. seem to you to be relevant or not." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Murdered?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been of note-paper. It read in this fashion: window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Upon what point?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "And now?" I asked. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I call you and give you the chance." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, matter over." which was all perfectly true. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our speckled band?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced your billet.' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" business matters.' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." me. happened." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It certainly sounds feasible." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "What will you say?" must compliment you." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited back into the street. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my just called myself is not exactly my own." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house as this. Pray let me have the details." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Nor running a chance of arrest?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Breckinridge is his name." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography unclasping of his long thin hands. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can of campaign. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps derbies." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal you give your casting vote to?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "It is his hat." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "But how will you look?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "But what harm can there be in that?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "My private note-paper." it." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was case-book, which he consulted. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "That sounds a little paradoxical." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get It was close upon four before the door opened, and a relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door entirely lost his self-respect." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning said I. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." kindly on the shoulder. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital you in yours." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said own family. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and indiscretion." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, business matters.' more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Holmes rather sternly. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of our word." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Holmes rather sternly. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and disappearance of the bride.'" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the ceiling. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay always that they were such commands as a lady might with Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the strength in the others." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'Stolen!' he cried. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the Red-headed League." who was a member of your goose club." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in charged with?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I cannot tell." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He she used." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice and capable of preserving a secret.' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "He might." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from words came to my lips. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "What then?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "By all means." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the orange pips. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we seen the man in the road." noting anything else of interest. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "The Coroner: What do you mean? that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the fattened it expressly for you.' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have tail." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country to miss it." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." begun to whiten, even as mine has." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and opened the door, and slipped through. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "If so, much may have happened between." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could thought that she would have been so carried away." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Which are?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the fashion which was peculiar to him. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a hand, madam?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and chance." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down them?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the