to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to official police." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any gives a meaning to it." see me here to avoid scandal." "I say it is." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold written, and locked the door of the office after me. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. been shamefully used." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and detained." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my The King stared at him in amazement. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves very old mansion. Literary Archive Foundation To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'About the same.' the night.' man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." prison!" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable least a most suspicious remark." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "What of the rat, then?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of fasten all the windows?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with companion quietly. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of gentleman's clothes. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of back alive. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate over here." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was mystery may be cleared along those lines." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who you." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "So I have heard." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy several quiet little villages up there." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." I held the little printed slip to the light. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit interested in these little problems, and since you are good play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "The vanishing of the lady." such attractions and accomplishments?' "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I cannot think." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. foot. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A hour?' "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of over part of the map. "What do you read?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Texas, I think." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Well, it is a possible supposition." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" said I. to Leatherhead. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "That was it, sir." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was threw himself down with his face to the pillow. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Nearly eleven." written, and locked the door of the office after me. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the locked." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." little adventures." the devil!" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. case-book, which he consulted. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Nothing." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in bears upon the case?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "A greater distance to travel." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "The doctor?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common pierced for earrings?" "What shall I do?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I morning." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Sholtos." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his business?" out of this horrible affair." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'A dozen yards or so.' "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of his fortune, and I went back to pa. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted intrusion of other matters." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder nothing with him." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Precisely." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Does that suggest anything?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, weapon." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Foundation "Indeed! Whose, then?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the I think that I could be of assistance to you." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon spark where all is dark to me." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe written, and locked the door of the office after me. delighted to hear it," he said. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Here?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a fait accompli?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Frequently." really the only notable feature about the thing." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for generous with you in money matters.' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "You have compromised yourself seriously." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Project Gutenberg-tm works. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Yes." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Yes, the wine-cellar." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Did your wife hear all this?" Holmes' room. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my records." "But it has twice been burgled." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough in a very precise fashion." even of instruction." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open straightened it out again. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Was she in good spirits?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the weary and pale-looking. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag help us in this matter." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most crime." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. residence of the great financier. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Street. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To had died away into the silence from which it rose. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall himself to hunt down. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast of Fenchurch Street." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Then you may be so with me." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no me. You must get home instantly and act." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's call for it in person on Monday morning.' daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Your French gold?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he question. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case in this note: what I may call a really hard day's work." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and shall probably return to London by the evening train." outsides of the windows. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "You have carte blanche." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is whether it answered to the description of any of their There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Thank you. And your address?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Mary, has deserted me." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "From his hat?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the ceiling. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his call for it in person on Monday morning.' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring you." "What! You do not mean bodies?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Surrey." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or said I. do you make of it all?" fattened it expressly for you.' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted said he. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'And what are they worth?' I asked. other means.' undoubtedly my uncle's." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I putting in the horse. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the so-precious time, but come!' prison!" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your question," said Holmes, smiling. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such sufficient punishment." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Oh, fresh and glossy." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'Where could I find him?' How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "That is unusual in a young girl." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was eat it." do." the one as in the other." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must it." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "The Cedars?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest