"Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the national property. I was determined that the law should have its and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Sutherland?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting tied." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he States. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these you." lips." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." province." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "That also I could fathom." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in pound a week." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. it." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord business matters.' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found emerged. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family galvanised. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was stammered. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' bill, which interests me deeply." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "He disappeared so suddenly." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his to miss it." so.' "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "An accident, I presume?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "What, then, did Peterson do?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "No legal papers or certificates?" "Did your wife hear all this?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner in him." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian perplexity from it to my illustrious client. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the coronet in his hands?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I you." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran public press." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement because she had spent so short a time in this country that she himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "What is it, then--a fire?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I impression behind it as though a window had gently closed especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." rooms." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "And why?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Not in a good cause." said he. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'Never.' "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you death." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy ran thus: Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Pray do so." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." over part of the map. "What do you read?" me. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, it were putty." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which official police." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a pictures, libraries, or plate. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "What! a murderous attack?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Yes." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but business came to an end." "Well, some hundreds of times." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it jewels which you have stolen?' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "'There is a drive, then?' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one intimate personal affairs in this public manner." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous garden below. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly should be taken.' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "What are they?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the It may be so in this case, also." spare." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the before the coroner and the police-court." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are flock.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of fled together." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" hereditary King of Bohemia." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, little adventures." wanted for ourselves." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about woman." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my delirious. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Young McCarthy must be got off, however." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was him, that man would not have given me such complete information security.' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One weapon." "But to whom?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Why serious?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "By no means." "It is his hat." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Miss Holder?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing you in yours." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, his face. dramatic, in fact." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a like that before?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding congenial hunt. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Holmes. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was there in twenty minutes." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was are windows in it, of course?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Street. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there some place of shelter and let the county police know what has companion quietly. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." people don't know." "How did he come?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "But what is it you wish?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to have that photograph." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It breakfast?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "The murder was done with it." "Where did you address your letters, then?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." have one." him." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. did not hear it also.' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Eyford." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'What, the red-headed man?' woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. lips." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already if only as a check to my own memory." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have ourselves in the office." "The knees of his trousers." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover think that he is innocent?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." chill to my heart. mystery!" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, an introduction to him?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who felt?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES you give your casting vote to?" that, and I came down." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. never came back." "Not him." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to have had none more fantastic than this." instincts rose up against that laugh. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Mary, has deserted me." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and capable of preserving a secret.' than to us. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "How do you know, then?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Have you her photograph?" leaning back in his chair. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been of the one which your family is now devouring." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "But the mystery?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from there was no need for father to know." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some fat-encircled eyes. "Why, what do you mean?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted