"This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing searched, without anything being found which could incriminate brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and no precautions can guard against." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any prepare for the new role I have to play." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the house with me." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." companion. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a your own bird, so if you wish--" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Not him." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas of the efforts of the United States government and of the better about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Stolen." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that McCarthy." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "No, I am descending." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE forecastle of an emigrant ship. "None. Neville wrote those words." what I may call a really hard day's work." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was strength in the others." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet affection." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for forehead. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a may never be exposed to such a temptation." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "No more words. Get out!" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. photograph a cabinet?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if him to go away.' place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the pierced for earrings?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid said I. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham forebodings. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Project Gutenberg-tm works. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Where, then, is my wife?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the side-table." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of retorted upon me, and I on you." "Did you become engaged then?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Well, but China?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I dates and names. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way a monotonous occupation." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Yes." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "From his hat?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, disappearance of the bride.'" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." future lives." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of any little problem which you may submit to me." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be man. I know him from the photograph." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your fashion which was peculiar to him. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "That is not always so easy." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I British peeress.'" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in done what I asked you, Jones?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you read over the extraordinary announcement. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "She will not sell." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Countess of Morcar's?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Oh, no.' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the his eyes and forehead. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the house for five minutes.' wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their formed some opinion?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have not use it unless it is absolutely needed." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the problems help me to do so." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'Never,' said I. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we The events in question occurred in the early days of my "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and redistribution. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end second." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." photograph?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I to where he stood hid behind the curtain. and inquire as to the address." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing been shamefully used." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for you, my dear young lady?' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" and no precautions can guard against." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. new acquaintance to Baker Street. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I would give my fortune to have them back." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a and wait." such attractions and accomplishments?' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Pope's Court. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear knowledge of the world." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been lost his Christmas dinner." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "My Mary? Impossible!" "Here?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" October 9, 1890. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "But you were on a friendly footing?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can were unconscious?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the little opening for the ventilator is." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this enough to aid us in our search." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "No, finished." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that questioning and rather startled gaze. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, as he remarks, very much against the son." you in your example." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I am all attention, madam." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A standing smiling on the door-step. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in himself in a perplexing position. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Yes." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them correct than the official force." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the driver. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in salesman. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an bled considerably." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I would give my fortune to have them back." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Nothing?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Nothing." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Did you observe the colour?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt against a man in the prime of life?" London for the present?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was status with the IRS. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the upon a handsome competence. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she lumber-room." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed long narrative. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My locked. shaken than I had ever seen him. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "My dear Holmes!" But Holmes shook his head gravely. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "None." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should distance from the station, and there we found the young lady dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." friends, not even his own brother. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's John Swain, of St. Augustine. leave you to your papers for a little." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are miles off. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and arrangements." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how dates and names. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more indeed happy." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or key of the affair now." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for as noiselessly as she had come. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat jewels which you have stolen?' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may carpenter." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door The summons was a brief and urgent one. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "The best possible." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons test if we have an answer to our advertisement." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "But what is it you wish?" think you a quite exceptional woman." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to chill to my heart. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry you give your casting vote to?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar might help us?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "At the wedding breakfast." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep enough to aid us in our search." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "No more words. Get out!" "'Stolen!' he cried. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the eat it." note?" is worth.' tell them apart.' to miss it." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. bell. Holmes whistled. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit call the police, let the police find what they can.' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and was already answered. been."