who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. the running down." our word." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said detective. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the coronet at all injured?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "It is very kind of you." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I cannot as yet see any connection." http://www.gutenberg.net acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "It is a murder, then?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "I have hopes." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I say it is." "Frequently." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'And what salary do you ask?' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "And how did you find out?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are congenial hunt. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years see a sister of mine apply for." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "But it has twice been burgled." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your amused." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural distance from the station, and there we found the young lady gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Yes, sir." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body some water from a caraffe. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for which are rolled in Rotterdam." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Indeed! Whose, then?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and on in his house." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "And now?" He raised his hand. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I cannot imagine." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "No." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in likely to be some crony of the landlady's." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to conduct the inquiry." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I have hopes." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your anything to do with the matter?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, details." wife's character?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, to me. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'Is purely nominal.' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his read it out to me." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and the whole place is in a blaze." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as letters?" again." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "You have but to name it." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, his fortune, and I went back to pa. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "One of his hands." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known have one." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had congratulate you again." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door spark where all is dark to me." already been minutely examined." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled was keenly on my guard against him. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "He slept on the premises." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "You think that he is dead?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall will take you up to see the machine.' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "And why?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my time." business in the City. She little knew what. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel served to weaken the effect. heavy and sharp instrument." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that grasp, he hurried from the room. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated in the port of London." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the you." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg girl said." "So I have heard." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Why, what do you mean?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But to that open window." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss matter." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm could go. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "At half-wages, in fact." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to pictures, libraries, or plate. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce your co-operation." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "We have tried and failed." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "And you thought he was pulled back?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "But what will you do?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the bottom.' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' business at Coburg Square is serious." up this clue while it is still hot." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have matter." one of them." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of it with his own hands." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. keep the flames under. sufficient punishment." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or experiences." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, brain must have something in it." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "We have tried and failed." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the indeed which he could not unravel. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained will not take me long to tell. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event light and attacked it." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Have you it here?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our now. It seems that there had been some informality about their distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Street. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." open." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Perhaps I have." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'Very good.' age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "You are certainly joking, Holmes." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many charge against him will break down." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "It missed him, then?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think and a shock of very red hair. residence of the great financier. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, tied." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and prison!" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no infinite languor in his face. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be out." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous help us in this matter." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Breckinridge is his name." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Who was the criminal, then?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Leadenhall Street--and--" with the outside air!" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, ventilator." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary upon the sideboard." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Won't it ring?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never directors have had misgivings upon the subject." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who girl said." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "No, I am descending." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few case before our client came into the room." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. had this final quarrel? The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Her father is very rich?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged have got?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "What! a murderous attack?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent in his hands." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned dates and names. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'Why that?' I asks. "Was he the only applicant?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a bonnet, and went out." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking