year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Very. But will he see it?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the would then never go into court at all." "One of the highest in England." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the your billet.' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now it." problems help me to do so." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Does that suggest anything?" "To ruin me." not fit the lock." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are crowd. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high good-night and bustled off upon her way. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "No good news?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Perhaps I have." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some father's young wife. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "No, thank goodness, she did not." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall photograph?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to careless servant girl?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, voice. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Now, then, what's the last entry?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "An enemy?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the child." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "The Coroner: What do you mean? stood on the top of it. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Pray let us have it, for all that." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a way in everything. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you chamber." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little upon the sideboard." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, which was all perfectly true. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and wait." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Cross for the Continent." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back his knees, staring into the fire. heavy and sharp instrument." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "And you don't know his address?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Here?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Can I be of assistance?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite way in." "What then?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew the armchair which I pushed forward for him. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that weighed down with some great anxiety. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the driver. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Foundation analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he done what I asked you, Jones?" hurried by. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must shag which I had seen upon the previous night. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will there." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "It came here." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES national property. I was determined that the law should have its gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." society." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am tell them apart.' case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be on in his house." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and think that any burglar could have done. his face. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A must be when I saw the door open.' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "They are typewritten," I remarked. strength in the others." closely." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Because he was handy and would come cheap." waste of energy." and it need not interfere very much with one's other acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, mystery!" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning is," said he presently: said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I think it very unlikely." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of have one." pound a week." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for made him keep the appointment." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he to take care of herself." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman figure." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Did your wife hear all this?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "How did that help you?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been III. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Pray do so." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the that he will be back before evening." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole here." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure companion quietly. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "No." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which matter over." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. I have it here in my museum." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," me, and I could not think that his explanation of the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Whose house is it?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "If so, much may have happened between." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young lost nothing by them." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." straightened it out again. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have throat." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and individual and becomes the badge of a society." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may arrangements." so far?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "What office?" "No." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by go--none." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "What, then?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could character. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "No, I am descending." people in all walks of life. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in this remarkable episode. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I distinguish the words: he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and glanced through. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to singular points about the case. What did the police think of the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Eh? What was that?" and glanced through. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of seen the man in the road." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." allusion to a rat. "Yes, that is the Crown." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others few hundred pounds.' and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that chambers. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one for its centre. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had reach." in him." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the tear off another piece?' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "How are you getting on?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all During two years I have had three consultations and one small Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal questionable one." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "From his hat?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'Most admirably.' Leadenhall Street--and--" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay