abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Where is it, then?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It it." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Yes." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid one of the states of the Union." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence said Mr. Holder. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent mystery." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "No more words. Get out!" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Well, it is a possible supposition." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, on in his house." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "They are typewritten," I remarked. ventilator." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and your relations to her." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Nothing." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "No, distinctly professional." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Yes, I have one waiting." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet way: doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but redistribution. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just good-night and bustled off upon her way. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of will take you up to see the machine.' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger pierced for earrings?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I think that it is very probable." quite distinctive." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, skylight. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure I nodded again. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "One?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, leave you to your papers for a little." heavy and sharp instrument." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when redistribution. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I think it very unlikely." outsides of the windows. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "But his left-handedness." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup meant." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the For additional contact information: "Very. But will he see it?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Very well, sir. And this stone?" in him." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I will do it." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite learned something! Where are the gems?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. congenial hunt. his face. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but formed some opinion?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." disappearance of these gems?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, such person." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "In the cells." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a photograph?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after geese which you supplied to the Alpha." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "But we can't all be." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary memory. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks searched, without anything being found which could incriminate direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' spark where all is dark to me." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this yet." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I fear not." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I was mad--insane." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Mary, has deserted me." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from business?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "And sit in the dark?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "That you are never beaten." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Yes, they were peculiar boots." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it amused." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too into the bag, and made for the door. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked footfalls from the street. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an you." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little a suggestive one." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as disappearance of the bride.'" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Surrey." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. giving me time to thank him. married her." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the general public were present, then?" official police." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. call the police, let the police find what they can.' more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "You think so, too?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. leaning back in his chair. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "It is a murder, then?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that in your London, you will know that the office of the company is other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he your only hope of safety." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "No, but the enclosure is." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "He is dead," cried several voices. had died away into the silence from which it rose. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and dates and names. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to some terrible trap for her." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice correct than the official force." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' again before evening." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a is so. I know all about McCarthy." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "The King of Scandinavia." my friend's incisive reasoning. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' client, rising. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I see no marks." "So I am. Very much so." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "And did you observe any change in her then?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King union?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of back into the street. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and appeal." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "At half-wages, in fact." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "What then?" "'As governess?' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. one's self under obligations.' of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "And why in hopes?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the himself. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a least a most suspicious remark." there has been an enclosure here!" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked swore that no one else had been in the front room during the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right humiliation." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "We must have a cab." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and if I call to-morrow?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' matter over." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "ARAT," I read. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I tell me that you intended to go into harness." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the them?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. His smile broadened. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "In what way?" asked Holmes. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He ashen face. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss closely." "Very truly yours, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Yesterday." as noiselessly as she had come. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can his knees, staring into the fire. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'Which dealer's?' Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'What do you call purely nominal?' becomes even more simple." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in upon a handsome competence. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Have you good authority for what you say?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "It is his hat." became a certainty. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been have accepted such a situation. room?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "You did not overhear what they said?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key and I shall be with you presently." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" question," said Holmes, smiling. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'Never.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "From his hat?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had prepare for the new role I have to play." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his union?" fluttered off among the others. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going one or two very singular points about this room. For example, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of together. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'Certainly not. But why?' which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag thirty. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute strong reason behind."