comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Pope's Court. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I would pay ten." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Leadenhall Street--and--" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "It surprised me." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the room while you explain this matter?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other that threaten you." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "That you are never beaten." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "You think so, too?" if I call to-morrow?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." was a lad." "He is dead," cried several voices. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "But how could you guess what the motive was?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "How on earth--" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "My dear Holmes!" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I am sure." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We photograph?" "But I am all in the dark." with you?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Just look it up, then." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the King without delay." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." 1.E.9. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Why did you beat the pavement?" drove away. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a know what is wrong with it.' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a she to prove their authenticity?" "It missed him, then?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. wanted for ourselves." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. province." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "One?" advice." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Can I be of assistance?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the to surprise her." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. did not hear it also.' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "No sign of it?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the despaired of." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle house for five minutes.' beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the true." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the of Fenchurch Street." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. comes from the middle window." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third of them has the shutters up.' His smile broadened. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that once more for Briony Lodge. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "I am all attention, madam." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "What then?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the http://www.gutenberg.net several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled hard-headed British jury." overpowering excitement and concern. joking. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" sneer upon his pale face. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the very morning of the wedding." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for lips." "What of the rat, then?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "'Yes, I promise.' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, know that the truth is known." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Absolutely?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what window when the police appeared." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony and files of the old papers, following the future career of every without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I have a cab outside." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the entirely devoid of interest." "The King of Scandinavia." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the pound a week." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary I shall communicate with you." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man very old mansion. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do whether it answered to the description of any of their and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "You don't mind breaking the law?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and he bowed and left the room without another word. awaited us upon the table. she used." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive yards of it?' he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's future lives." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold your co-operation." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Stolen, then." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with unprecedented a position." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "But how did you gain them?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which with some details as to your case." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your this poor creature." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found morning." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I shall be delighted." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was singular points about the case. What did the police think of the allusion to a rat. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Precisely so. But how--" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "In the cells." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is had picked up in the wood. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" throat." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a following enigmatical notices: "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Street. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "What have you done?" asked Holmes. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." never came back." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Certainly not. But why?' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' is," said he presently: "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little to affect your life." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, highly," said Holmes. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" did not hear it also.' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I cannot imagine." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "What have you to say now?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and have been better. It is all right." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Won't it ring?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was it right.' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "In heaven's name, what for?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself power." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "My opinion is in no way altered." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the stable lane now." it. "Do you know him?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they morning." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Lee, in the county of Kent." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My page at http://pglaf.org "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Have you it here?" the tragedy. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson question you as to those details which seem to me to be most matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. my little problems." next day. question," said Holmes, smiling. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow in a very precise fashion." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you flock.' and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. I shall continue with my miserable story. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for down. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Never." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the done what I asked you, Jones?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while again before evening." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I American. Then who could this American be, and why should he held up the lantern and gazed about him. to his chemical studies. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "But we can't all be." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "And it is--" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: very morning of my second wedding." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." strength." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down a good hundred miles off by now." writer." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "What!" he roared. the best of training." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his charge against him will break down." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "I would pay ten." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Why? What do you mean?" people in all walks of life. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I promise," said Holmes. "Stolen." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep fashion which was peculiar to him. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Did you observe the colour?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in floor. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may