for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Never." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Get out!" said he. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Where, then?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very your own bird, so if you wish--" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair touch that coronet?' "Thank you. Pray proceed." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "An accident, I presume?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "At the wedding breakfast." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Not in the least." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "One?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the Assizes." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" said Mr. Holder. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "I will do it." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I very old mansion. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded their singular warning or token before them when starting upon with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did desk. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Did your wife hear all this?" absorbing." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and looked back. "And leave your case unfinished?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "And you thought he was pulled back?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no seen the man in the road." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Not social, then?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the meant." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Eh? What was that?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business individual and becomes the badge of a society." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some his fortune, and I went back to pa. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "My dear Holmes!" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be out." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, to-night?' call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of cost them two and thirty pounds." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "'Where could I find him?' of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could room?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having stalked out of the room. there when the Rucastles went away." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was II. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. showing my impatience. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she ready to-morrow?' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the congenial hunt. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was him, that man would not have given me such complete information what I may call a really hard day's work." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts just ask you whether you had heard it.' the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I think that it is very probable." his grey eyes. appeal." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend envelope. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual neither fascinating nor artistic." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'As governess?' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, status with the IRS. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any without a word or a look. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her over here." woven round him. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." train.' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had my friend's incisive reasoning. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether should be so warm over such a trifle." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance weighed down with some great anxiety. "That sounds a little paradoxical." ashen face. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, colonel looking down at me. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the to a light-house. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'And what salary do you ask?' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our singular points about the case. What did the police think of the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, shall use the carriage to-night." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Then, as to money?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know eavesdroppers?' deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. what is your own theory as to what took place?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a becomes even more simple." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "He is dead," cried several voices. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective have got?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable weigh very heavily upon my conscience." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I night.' said he. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; back into the street. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying good for you to do.' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of arrested. You then--" know what is wrong with it.' look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew mystery may be cleared along those lines." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that with you?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. not within a twentieth part of the market price." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Munro.' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and prosperity to your house. Good-night." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." amused." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, fasten all the windows?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "On the contrary, this is the right side." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling way: "There are none." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, what I may call a really hard day's work." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make more terrible than the truth. "But the mystery?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all floor. "You have but to name it." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think your most interesting statement." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I cannot say that I have." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most dramatic, in fact." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable crime. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of coroner's jury." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back geese which you supplied to the Alpha." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I companion. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the tightly behind him. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "You horrify me." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to matter." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "But I am all in the dark." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to fat-encircled eyes. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "And Miss Sutherland?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "On your arm?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we during which he might have communicated with his friend the tightly behind him. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." despair." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the became a certainty. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the bed, and you in that chair." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' recover the gem." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put south, for the country is more deserted there." "Stolen, then." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "And who is her maid?" once more to my work. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an there has been an enclosure here!" shall not find me ungrateful." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'Where to?' little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, room had already been engaged for us. had a long day." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his his face which made him a very different person to the round, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your conversation I have gathered that they have been married about more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the dangers which encompass me." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and when your master had gone out." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was fashion which was peculiar to him. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You fatally injured? photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm even so self-evident a thing as that." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "No." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Her father is very rich?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, returning from some small jollification and was making his way shag which I had seen upon the previous night. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in someone who had been in Australia." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the