"'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their rat could hardly pass through." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If shall not find me ungrateful." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that along the entire front of the house, with three long windows mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "You are certainly joking, Holmes." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Doctor, of the paper and the date." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were your room." started for the Temple to see my husband. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "But what will you do?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with his huge brown hands. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, this as likely?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that For additional contact information: "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I depend upon your compliance." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "My Mary? Impossible!" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would tell me that you intended to go into harness." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that which I could not give. He asked for Alice. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you had died away into the silence from which it rose. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the clanging. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural upon the shelf for the interim." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." directors, with the result that you have seen." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you could not account in any way for the presence of the missing work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" forebodings. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to views." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "But your client--" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the thought that she would have been so carried away." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It one which it was hard to resist. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." corner of the building. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen leave you to your papers for a little." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed case-book, which he consulted. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular morning." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" to a light-house. discontent upon his features. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Ha! you find it so?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great conceal it?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that his cane at the bell-pull. "You horrify me." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered father's place of business?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges mysterious business." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I wall." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I remarked. anything to do with the matter?" "But we can't all be." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Oh, yes, easily." behind me. handed it to him. "I know where it is." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "That was it, sir." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you correct than the official force." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "My dear Holmes!" "My stepfather's business papers." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever DAMAGE. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some weighed down with some great anxiety. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "And the cigar-holder?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at way in." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "How about poison?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the south-west, I see." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The to tell." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "No?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally details." details." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "What are they?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their roused himself from his reverie. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which him and tried to hold him back. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic look dissatisfied." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his yet." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "I have hopes." companion. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to have got?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "How on earth--" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "You horrify me!" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Who was the criminal, then?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered key of the affair now." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my direction." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of feature." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "From his hat?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "You have compromised yourself seriously." the coronet at all injured?" to a more successful conclusion." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "What, then?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on discontent upon his features. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Farm upon the left." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by guilty one." go--none." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "No bad?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Eyford." "'Very good.' Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his signal between you and your father? "The landlord of the Alpha." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do points to suicide?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The for securing the situation." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "And what did you learn from him?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "And I." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found strong and stiff." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not new acquaintance to Baker Street. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I cannot tell." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Which are?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Pray continue your narrative." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "It is true that I have been generally successful." examine." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A You can understand that this register and diary may implicate his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and this Miss Turner." disturbance in my wife." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. you in yours." "Were they all fastened this morning?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where conclusions. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Certainly." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which more solid." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. detective. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I notes," he said. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Ha! you find it so?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a disappearance of these gems?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, bell. Holmes whistled. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who in the port of London." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works better grown goose." the loss of it. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Holmes' room. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the nights." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "No sign of it?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Was there a secret marriage?" hair?' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'Certainly not. But why?' "Here?" His smile broadened. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden window when the police appeared." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if it." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no meant it for the best. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Pray do so." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That narrative." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind London for the present?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. would then never go into court at all." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had appeared upon the scene." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the into the bag, and made for the door. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of will he say when he returns?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "The rest you will leave in our hands." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must October 9, 1890. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a plantation.' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. with frightened eyes at his accuser. of your young ladies.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' mystery may be cleared along those lines." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Yes, it was twisted." clang of the bell. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him crowd. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." conduct the inquiry." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if that you wished to speak to me?' over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he