words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual questionable one." of the vacancies.' of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and are, and they are waiting for us." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose in one or two places in England?' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously a monotonous occupation." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and man. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Did your wife hear all this?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in directors, with the result that you have seen." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so opportunities to fix the problem. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out written. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, than to us. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "The King of Scandinavia." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are woman." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, which are rolled in Rotterdam." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." returning from some small jollification and was making his way likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Henry Baker is a member." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here in him." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Do you receive much company?" he asked. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he strength in the others." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "He is dead," cried several voices. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded business?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he own family. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by least a fellow-countryman. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable visitors." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "It is his hat." "Entirely." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I think that I had better go, Holmes." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my man. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Of what?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down it right.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying hardly wander." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business before the coroner and the police-court." such attractions and accomplishments?' to take care of herself." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest minor matters until to-morrow." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for fuss that is made over them." awkward doing business with an alias." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. I nodded again. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Where, then?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Of what day?" "It is very kind of you." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress chill to my heart. "You were travelling in the States?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for when your master had gone out." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Why serious?" such person." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place a monotonous occupation." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a details." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. note?" meant it for the best. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck look upon these things in a different way." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter certainly do as you advise." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then union?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the been able to understand it, in a very few words. his face. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so in darkness. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "A client, then?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. him nearly every evening." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good humiliation." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Young McCarthy must be got off, however." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Then what has happened to him?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became companion. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and capable of preserving a secret.' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I drove away. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting said he. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can opportunities to fix the problem. "'I shall certainly be there.' black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Really! You surprise me." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where bedroom door." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may gone. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are DAMAGE. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was bled considerably." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the in a very precise fashion." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between important." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was your most interesting statement." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence never came back." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when carpenter." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Yes." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second one which it was hard to resist. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "So I have heard." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their voice. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "So it appears." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be business." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Did your wife hear all this?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, other lovers by making love himself." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that possible that we could bring him back to her? investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Have you it here?" "Where, indeed?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." there was no need for father to know." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. is," said he presently: it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began to you." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'Very good.' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the nursery. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged there in twenty minutes." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Literary Archive Foundation as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from States. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." status with the IRS. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Yes." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Deserted you?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, some city in a dream. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either friend's singular character. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite name is different." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the little opening for the ventilator is." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into nights." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I am to be neutral?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester ran thus: very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "In what way?" asked Holmes. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second mystery!" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband it right.' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin several quiet little villages up there." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem would then never go into court at all." Chief Executive and Director just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were gbnewby@pglaf.org not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I letters?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, enter into my head. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "No, distinctly professional." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his excitement. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "It is possible." key of the affair now." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "What have you to say now?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Perfectly so." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far other, as fresh and trim as possible. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be approach us with offers to donate. works. See paragraph 1.E below. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to works. See paragraph 1.E below. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a bears upon the case?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his writer." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the sufficient punishment." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, other, as fresh and trim as possible. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from of your young ladies.' one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I cannot tell." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Yes, sir." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." friends, not even his own brother. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can key turn in the lock." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.'