matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and thought that she would have been so carried away." "Well?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step for the market.' a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "This concluded the examination of the witness." more solid." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that he died? photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "We have tried and failed." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Yes, sir." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' papers diligently of late, have you not?" letters?" will not take me long to tell. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and that he would see to anything that turned up. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon on in his house." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Then, as to money?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, of the way of danger. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." mysterious business." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be said I. "No good news?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! individual and becomes the badge of a society." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Clair, of Lee." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you manager. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other of campaign. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any case-book, which he consulted. next day. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I should like to see him very much." his fortune, and I went back to pa. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "There is the writing." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact as this. Pray let me have the details." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Pray do so." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods your troubles." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Pray do so." might have a private word with us. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to miles off. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but me have 200 pounds?' detained." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we have accepted such a situation. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Not particularly." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. your most interesting statement." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most should be taken.' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler nights." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Mary, has deserted me." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the direction." "'I have already given you my word.' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange DISSOLVED. way in everything. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it one of the states of the Union." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the would apply.' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated is entirely a question of barometric pressure." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To o'clock is it?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Well, but China?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "That is easily got." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "But how?" Leadenhall Street--and--" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it colonel looking down at me. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the appeal." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I will do it." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss because she had spent so short a time in this country that she parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows said he. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "And you don't know his address?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." affection." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., everything which you would wish to know." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had tied." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the window, rose as we entered. hands. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in individual and becomes the badge of a society." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I was sure that I might rely on you." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of do you make of it all?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of absorbing." "Can I be of assistance?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'Why that?' I asks. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of allusion to a rat. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to dear old homesteads?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "'No, I know no one in these parts.' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, is worth.' "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Witness: I must still refuse. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "And how have you succeeded?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock your most interesting statement." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the strength of mind to control. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. man. I know him from the photograph." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Well, but China?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Lee, in the county of Kent." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "That is possible." which we had just quitted. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but been shamefully used." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had happened." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you cigar and let me expound." touch that coronet?' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor one's self under obligations.' "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide himself to hunt down. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I will, Miss Turner." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm tear off another piece?' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "You don't mind breaking the law?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an astonishment. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of to talk it over. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to shoulder; "he's all right." official police." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "The gentleman I describe." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "You are hungry," I remarked. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. salesman. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right to-night." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I saw her in conversation with her maid." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do returned to France?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of be best to do. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the loss of it. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it into her hand at the door and which lured her within their your troubles." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Very truly yours, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. husband's writing, madam." really the only notable feature about the thing." you in your example." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I delighted to hear it," he said. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I will not look." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, less than 26s. 4d. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I cannot as yet see any connection." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat future lives." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always matter over." "How did you trace it, then?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior back to my heart. mystery may be cleared along those lines." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Oh, yes, easily." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think seven miles from Eyford Station.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "And now?" I asked. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from than was visible to me." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." ways of our fellow-men." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Yes." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "What do you mean?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Yes, they were peculiar boots." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "She walked into the breakfast-room." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the child." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. there." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the four million human beings all jostling each other within the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'I have heard so.' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high if I call to-morrow?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope purpose of examination. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked.