in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and stood on the top of it. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "What have you to say now?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I upon the shelf for the interim." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he away into the river." are windows in it, of course?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "And how have you succeeded?" might help us?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent promised to bring home. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you help us in this matter." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Yes." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in do.' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction http://gutenberg.net/license). have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it means?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say This is what he says: ways of our fellow-men." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' his huge brown hands. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I shall most certainly do so." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were minor matters until to-morrow." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the so-precious time, but come!' "In heaven's name, what for?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long touch that coronet?' though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Where to?' details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "But he might be a bachelor." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at a few minutes he said that it would be all right. I shall communicate with you." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, signal between you and your father? left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few October 9, 1890. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are acted in my house last night?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "9th. McCauley cleared. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I should like to see him very much." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "BALLARAT." "She told me to ask you." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. pound a week." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, directors, with the result that you have seen." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It man. the stable lane now." "In San Francisco, a year ago." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "You don't mind breaking the law?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I sufficient punishment." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the my room." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Serpentine Avenue. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "'Yes, sir.' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat whereabouts. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "About a month then." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me crowd. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the side-table." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the coronet at all injured?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in better grown goose." long narrative. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'I have heard so.' "Precisely so. But how--" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin cause to be." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project you give your casting vote to?" "I know where it is." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "And help." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Why did you beat the pavement?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "In the cells." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall companion quietly. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, in the dead of the night?' IS know what is wrong with it.' would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Where did he live, then?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Very well, sir. And this stone?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in woman." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "It is to him that this trophy belongs." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is upon a handsome competence. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four to change my dress. emerged. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Then you may entirely rely on me." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as to arrive at through this?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Then, as to money?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a sofa. This way, please!" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it upon the shelf for the interim." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see whether it answered to the description of any of their heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "It goes to the housekeeper's room." your equipment. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "And you can do nothing until then?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the rose-bushes. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Have you her photograph?" better grown goose." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but been." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, case before our client came into the room." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." tied." key turn in the lock." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Then the page we have seen--" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Frequently." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love pressing in one house as in another. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client 11:15.' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir anything to a woman, for she would have her way." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Foundation front of the hall door has given its name to the place. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me things are very often connected not with the larger but with the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "It missed him, then?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I works. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able into the room. "'And the work?' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and to surprise her." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by this Miss Turner." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Was she in good spirits?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how to his chemical studies. "In answer to an advertisement." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "It is very kind of you." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this little trying to do so much typewriting?" attention." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by man. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so question," said Holmes, smiling. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of long narrative. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be good for you to do.' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable a monotonous occupation." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Your sister is dead, then?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "But your client--" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I will, Miss Turner." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of despaired of." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly and the whole place is in a blaze." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my row." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The house for five minutes.' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Street. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat bird I ate is country bred." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, gbnewby@pglaf.org flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "He is still with you, I presume?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the Red-headed League." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the written, and locked the door of the office after me. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal he died? breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: true." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I see no marks." "Of what day?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, other means.' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her populous neighbourhood." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we to a more successful conclusion." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I photograph?" "Then how many are there?" "In the cells." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Yes, all." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than I held the little printed slip to the light. opportunities to fix the problem. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" such person." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of way in." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about not within a twentieth part of the market price." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the soul! here is her carriage at the door." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the you." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking locked." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly I think that I could be of assistance to you." with you alone." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced down in his armchair and closing his eyes. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "The Cedars?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant introspective fashion. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, to surprise her." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part From what you have told me I think that it is possible that thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the despaired of." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and morning." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person was lame." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and showing my impatience. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Entirely." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Holmes. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to States. Mary, has deserted me." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of go--none."