Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "You have carte blanche." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black true." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to speckled band?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his presume?" had formerly been in part my own. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. money should be paid at once.' when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are new acquaintance to Baker Street. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Look there!" said he. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Project Gutenberg-tm works. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching events than those which have happened in my own family." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the seven miles from Eyford Station.' more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and in this note: them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without digesting their breakfasts at home." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we made him keep the appointment." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me union?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending suggested at once that there must be a communication between the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "He disappeared so suddenly." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "What, then, did Peterson do?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'I am sure if I had known--' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "No." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "My opinion is in no way altered." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I was afraid that you were engaged." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of this unhappy family?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Did he not advertise?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, tell them apart.' slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Perhaps we may make them less so." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "None." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk could go. I shall continue with my miserable story. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and effective." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "You horrify me." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular that before taking the final step I should like to submit the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed you in your example." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Yes, that is the Crown." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." you understand?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no McCarthy." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the tragedy. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet more solid." in the hope of finding them." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Yes, sir." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "I am in hopes that she does." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'What do you call purely nominal?' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Project Gutenberg-tm works. "They are typewritten," I remarked. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he at my remark. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no me. You must get home instantly and act." man. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Yes." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the window, rose as we entered. "Not I." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "The Coroner: What do you mean? reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the from you?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "A thing like a cleaver," said he. read it out to me." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "What are they?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I am armed." "Nothing?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Pray do so." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge showing my impatience. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "That is unusual in a young girl." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "ARAT," I read. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "My dear Holmes!" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Very well, sir. And this stone?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire are, I think, all that we need." bird I ate is country bred." the inquest, and which are worth considering." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'And the work?' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Entirely.' clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my locked. "We were both in the photograph." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power writers could invent nothing more crude." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, cup of tea. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "It was an hour's good drive." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be October 9, 1890. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let coroner's jury." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Did you become engaged then?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I was mad--insane." present." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "And for present expenses?" nothing of it?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" entirely devoid of interest." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan British peeress.'" chill to my heart. "Texas, I think." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, good for you to do.' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the bottom.' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "And now?" He raised his hand. trifles." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as it." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to orange pips. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you for the market.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I you." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," was used.' keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "And you can do nothing until then?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "What?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our grasp, he hurried from the room. money should be paid at once.' the stones. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "A thing like a cleaver," said he. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy least a most suspicious remark." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will were new raised from a basin. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at once more for Briony Lodge. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Do you receive much company?" he asked. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I should be immensely obliged to you." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, notes," he said. "None." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "He might." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back for the market.' would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his some water from a caraffe. late!' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly ashen face. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Stolen, then." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business carried out of court." "One of the highest in England." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly For additional contact information: "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'Certainly not.' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. see a sister of mine apply for." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Quite so. She has her freedom." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Pope's Court. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I am following you closely," I answered. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from off." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, where she found matters as described by the last witness. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "What, then?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have shall not find me ungrateful." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch to arrive at through this?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. fluttered off among the others. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second I was concerned in it." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Holmes' room. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. overpowering excitement and concern. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned papers." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of is," said he presently: but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." him to go away.' livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Holmes. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "There is the writing." too. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything be.' "What, then, did Peterson do?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Then he might have called to you?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. green of the new foliage. "And leave your case unfinished?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying one of the states of the Union." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between already been minutely examined." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the salesman. "Dark enough and sinister enough." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect I took the paper from him and read as follows: right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his I held the little printed slip to the light. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Where did he live, then?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Will you go?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." hardly wander." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after