pound a week." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "He said that you could solve anything." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off are, I think, all that we need." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I do." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste heavily into it. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and at my remark. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "In heaven's name, what for?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between society." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I will, Miss Turner." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Witness: It was. habit of advancing money.' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "And who is her maid?" "Nearly eleven." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "He is still with you, I presume?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the devil!" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple that threaten you." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the night.' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I have my revolver," said I. returned to France?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen she to prove their authenticity?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms threw himself down with his face to the pillow. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a room?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted His name is Francis Prosper." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" present." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "No, distinctly professional." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? throat." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four I approached. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front My friend smiled. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "But his left-handedness." "Tired-looking or fresh?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third shoulder. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his begun to whiten, even as mine has." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have again on its way. little adventures." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain which it had come upon my father." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my been deceived." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced way in everything. the room while you explain this matter?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a than was visible to me." "Never." "What! a murderous attack?" "No, I had a dozen." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and reach." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Pool. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I beg pardon." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his The summons was a brief and urgent one. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the nursery. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a second." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation without success. At last the little money which I had saved began give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "That is possible." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to him!" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival it means?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such wanted for ourselves." mysterious business." I approached. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from villagers almost as much as their master. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and dead, shall be safe with us." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a friend's singular character. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you observed. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "At half-wages, in fact." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his hour?' upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying particular state visit http://pglaf.org wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I upon the shelf for the interim." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Yes, the wine-cellar." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Just look it up, then." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the coronet in his hands?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he overpowering excitement and concern. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, quickly through a disagreeable task. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "It missed him, then?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to never will be, entirely cleared up. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'There is a drive, then?' "In which, sir?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too because she had spent so short a time in this country that she once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be photograph a cabinet?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room again, where I was soon asleep. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight that there was nothing in it, after all." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Precisely." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Really! You surprise me." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Yes, from Horsham." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular orange pips. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." respectable self." "Precisely." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Well." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the my special province." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "But she will refuse." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, stammered. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I will do it." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." 'please.'" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." national property. I was determined that the law should have its and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is with you alone." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "One of his hands." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after make me his representative both with the servants and with the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had look upon these things in a different way." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I never have." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the stones. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Was she in good spirits?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much despair." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I never have." politicians who had been sent down from the North. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds The summons was a brief and urgent one. companion. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "The gentleman I describe." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the tragedy. sound at heart." heavily into it. drawing your inferences." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "How did that help you?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the his knees, staring into the fire. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Which are?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "But how did you gain them?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'Is purely nominal.' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it asked. "What then?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Entirely." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "How did you deduce the select?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Yes." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'I shall certainly be there.' good-night and bustled off upon her way. "There is the writing." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper off." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "But how?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle locked. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Why serious?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "What! You do not mean bodies?" dead, shall be safe with us." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "But how did you gain them?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the went to the Alpha were town bred." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "And for present expenses?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Well." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to his chemical studies. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Will you go?" persecution?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason skylight. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and kindly on the shoulder. nights." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to I. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the you for a few hours?" province." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the article?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old new duties?' pictures, libraries, or plate. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope