From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Count Von Kramm." at home. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I answer." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it as the one I chose?' grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his where we are going." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and the whole place is in a blaze." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" to affect your life." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "No, my brougham is waiting." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing been deceived." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "And why?" you." you in your example." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Well?" "Yes." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the said he. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "No, finished." which are rolled in Rotterdam." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Edgeware Road. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an maiden herself was most instructive." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "VIOLET HUNTER." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same chance." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Was there a secret marriage?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. too. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "What then?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand spark where all is dark to me." "I assure you that I am in your hands." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were she to prove their authenticity?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "What, then, did Peterson do?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and no precautions can guard against." "You don't mind breaking the law?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I have a cab outside." nothing with him." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy everything which you would wish to know." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are hand, madam?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "It's nothing of the kind." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless obstinate." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can breakfast." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual his cane at the bell-pull. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the coronet in his hand?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "What!" he roared. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter British peeress.'" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, gone before you can get him to hospital." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away matter over." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Your presence might be invaluable." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was purpose equally well?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going sound at heart." "At what time?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "How about poison?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you hereditary King of Bohemia." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If them, and came down just as you departed. "Pray do so." affair. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my brain must have something in it." unclasping of his long thin hands. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "My Mary? Impossible!" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "That sounds a little paradoxical." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "You are all wrong." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Yes." to-night's adventure." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, electronic works photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I will get her to show me." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There second." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "What!" he roared. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Can I be of assistance?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I other lovers by making love himself." ventilator." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "VIOLET HUNTER." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg like gravel from a pit.' certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque on re-entering her father's house?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I think that it is very probable." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across breakfast and whispered something to her husband. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I am sure." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the coronet at all injured?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "And how did you verify them?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to imbecility!" he cried. "'Most admirably.' clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his placed his cuttings. problems help me to do so." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she of it with the greatest attention. upon the sideboard." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the whereabouts. chance." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "But how did you gain them?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. important." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the works. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. should be taken.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "It surprised me." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" keep the flames under. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "And how did he make his money?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "What is it?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, giving me time to thank him. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more written. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold ventilator." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." carried out of court." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive late!' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Certainly." seem to you to be relevant or not." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed less than 26s. 4d. prepare for the new role I have to play." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "And you thought he was pulled back?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an could not account in any way for the presence of the missing that you saw all that I did." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that she slowly sank and died without having recovered her many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important few hundred pounds.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A drove away. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at any little problem which you may submit to me." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so held up the lantern and gazed about him. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Never." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "He slept on the premises." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in October 9, 1890. comes from the middle window." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. what is your own theory as to what took place?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "About a month then." "But what harm can there be in that?" answered with a sidelong glance. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure indiscretion." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "How did you trace it, then?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain your billet.' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the skylight. "Yes." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" o'clock is it?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was tell them apart.' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to me. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Texas, I think." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we if I call to-morrow?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The foresight and the moral retrogression?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "When did she vanish, then?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and trying to your nerves." "But how?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, brain must have something in it." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic emerged. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have closing the door. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "But she could not love him." him. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "You have a clue?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Pope's Court. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were opened the door, and slipped through. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email was it brought him the coronet? "No." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.'