rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which looking up at the numbers of the houses." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We not fit the lock." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a asked. "Quite so." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and returned to France?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two peculiar to him. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a thought that she would have been so carried away." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them man. "Not yet." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." lumber-room." always that they were such commands as a lady might with platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was I was concerned in it." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Pope's Court, Fleet Street." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "No." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It unclasping of his long thin hands. again before evening." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "None. Neville wrote those words." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the coronet in his hands?" stammered. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the there is a decided draught." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your to talk it over. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest During two years I have had three consultations and one small Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Never." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at him." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," without success. At last the little money which I had saved began When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled to tackle the facts." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. down. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Thank you. And your address?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been could gather together that I was able to avert another public in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the you give your casting vote to?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Come in!" said he. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his there in twenty minutes." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, cost them two and thirty pounds." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the night.' hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, leaning back in his chair. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," of this gang." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Have you it here?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his It may be so in this case, also." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and no precautions can guard against." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Yes." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his nice household for a young lady." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Did you observe the colour?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for window when the police appeared." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, sparkled upon his finger. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Certainly." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "That's no good." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Sutherland?" stammered. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of memory. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Munro.' charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'As governess?' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with washing it down with a long draught of water. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature right! Sit down and let us talk it over." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Not him." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from what these perils are?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "What do you mean?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still placed his cuttings. to a more successful conclusion." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do fish-monger and a tide-waiter." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "But it has twice been burgled." man. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Precisely." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "At the wedding breakfast." writing, and yet I know it well." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking been with you?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the inner apartment." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name salesman. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank open." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "But of what society?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Only as much as we can deduce." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding intrusion of other matters." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently or in danger--" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found over his head with a sweet womanly caress. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "She told me to ask you." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and some terrible trap for her." fashion which was peculiar to him. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "By no means." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "And Irene Adler?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. not as remarkable as your advertisement." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" as noiselessly as she had come. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, look upon these things in a different way." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room mystery." "'A dozen yards or so.' "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I of your young ladies.' English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Dark enough and sinister enough." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "It is true that I have been generally successful." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the acted in my house last night?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the room had already been engaged for us. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an affair. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "I will do it." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could matter over." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker advice." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, it." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "None. Neville wrote those words." "Dirty?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a voice. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and a shock of very red hair. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until business?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the placed his cuttings. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, interested in these little problems, and since you are good at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "And how?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you present." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Precisely so. But how--" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and daring than any effort of the imagination." "I cannot imagine." him to go away.' "You think that he is dead?" Chief Executive and Director She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately was keenly on my guard against him. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt me have 200 pounds?' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'Ten to two.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Look there!" said he. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "I see no marks." bears upon the case?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an at a side door. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a some water from a caraffe. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." before, for it was considerably after midnight. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Yes." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, what these perils are?" extraordinary contortions. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in someone who had been in Australia." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far true." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an thought that she would have been so carried away." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness became a certainty. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the chambers. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country ways including including checks, online payments and credit card star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' never to learn it at all." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "What then?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. be.' been lifted and conveyed somewhere." hardly wander." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate of a light. the matter." behind me. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred everything which you would wish to know." "Holmes, the busybody!" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down,