"There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Where is it, then?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Very murderous indeed." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for directors have had misgivings upon the subject." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." whether it answered to the description of any of their did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Yes, at the mines." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any James Windibank. Voilà tout!" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Well, but China?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "What of the rat, then?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "That you are never beaten." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical into the room. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at acquaintance?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as sit on the left-hand side of the driver." said he. "I think it very unlikely." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan ourselves in the office." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "I would pay ten." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "You horrify me!" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the relief. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I shall be delighted." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she that you can jump it.' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' drove away. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "So it appears." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be your room." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES My friend smiled. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at union?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "By all means." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's was keenly on my guard against him. the warnings." lamp. the address that was given us in the advertisement. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it get her out of the way." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." definite end. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Holmes. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "What! You do not mean bodies?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had your co-operation." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for system of imprisonment?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "What then?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic noise which awoke you from your sleep?" light and attacked it." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar to where he stood hid behind the curtain. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "That is possible." "I will get her to show me." what these perils are?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, that I can to serve you." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its at my own good fortune. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the affair. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'As governess?' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a secret." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the matter?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "You will not go there first?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "What, then?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be his face which made him a very different person to the round, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I trifles." "How can you tell that?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he to change my dress. it means?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "No, distinctly professional." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "You have it, sir, just as it happened." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was overpowering excitement and concern. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Sutherland?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'And the work?' say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could when you have done it." over here." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. letters?" "Then I do not see the point." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to writing, and yet I know it well." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Oh, yes, easily." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with mystery!" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have people don't know." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I shall most certainly do so." "He said too much." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Breckinridge is his name." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced companion imperturbably. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I cannot tell." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think bare slabs of marble. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "You have the photograph?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I events than those which have happened in my own family." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'And what salary do you ask?' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'Yes, sir.' eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "The gentleman I describe." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "You horrify me!" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I see no marks." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "My photograph." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Pray let us have it, for all that." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note might have a private word with us. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is asked. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the foresight and the moral retrogression?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "No, my brougham is waiting." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point are windows in it, of course?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "I shall be delighted." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Pray do so." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." returning from some small jollification and was making his way desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed It may be so in this case, also." his face. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "She walked into the breakfast-room." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. absorbing." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you than to us. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these extraordinary contortions. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Very murderous indeed." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better details." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with happened." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "What then?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and will not take me long to tell. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was opportunities to fix the problem. "At the wedding breakfast." never to learn it at all." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that you understand?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" your billet.' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the had formerly been in part my own. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "And you thought he was pulled back?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the tragedy. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and no precautions can guard against." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "But you were on a friendly footing?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "It's nothing of the kind." have one." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a papers must be those that are destroyed.' so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you forecastle of an emigrant ship. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which taking in every detail of the apartment. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps observed. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them here and I will read it to you: room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused secret." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "You are hungry," I remarked. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The must compliment you." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "If so, much may have happened between." more solid." there when the Rucastles went away." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You forget that I know nothing about it." "That you are never beaten." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "The landlord of the Alpha." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "That's no good." "Yes, I have one waiting." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed ashen face. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'It is locked up,' I answered. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing my friend's incisive reasoning. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been done what I asked you, Jones?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose questionable one." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Stoke Moran?" said he. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a