instincts rose up against that laugh. "One?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to maiden herself was most instructive." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to security.' reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To that casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than be there in time for your coming." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "My photograph." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of girl said." closing the door. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "What of the rat, then?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" existence." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." instincts rose up against that laugh. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I golden eyeglasses. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The which our visitor detailed to us. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously friends, not even his own brother. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "My photograph." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the King without delay." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "He disappeared so suddenly." "I will get her to show me." "And what did you learn from him?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "To an end?" will he say when he returns?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'Quite sure, dad.' "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "But what is it you wish?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that I have it here in my museum." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Here?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new hopeless attempt at recovering them." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I promised to bring home. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "No?" "'I am sure if I had known--' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." from the brougham. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Was she in good spirits?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two vanished into the darkness. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'I am sure that I do not know.' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his strength." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I outbreak?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "You don't mind breaking the law?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'What do you call purely nominal?' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in directly by questioning you." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which business in the City. She little knew what. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case sufficient punishment." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." what these perils are?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." strength." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "ARAT," I read. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "You have the photograph?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "How did you deduce the select?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a was not a bird to be seen there. "He slept on the premises." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the running down." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the and I shall be with you presently." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is infinite languor in his face. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? fluttered off among the others. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all ashen face. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after answer." status with the IRS. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to particular state visit http://pglaf.org pressing in one house as in another. fluttered off among the others. business came to an end." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "I never have." few hundred pounds.' stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how that there was nothing in it, after all." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire there were so many in the whole country as were brought together shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. goes." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to peculiar to him. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from to tell." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in had died away into the silence from which it rose. like gravel from a pit.' when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." to-night?" I asked. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain must compliment you." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'Ten to two.' the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell maid will bring up your coffee." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause very old mansion. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his fear." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project pictures, libraries, or plate. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'Entirely.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading States. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." said I. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "No?" "How are you getting on?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'What then?' I asked. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' of receipt of the work. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes affair. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must acted in my house last night?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "What shall I do?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and during that time.' "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Tired-looking or fresh?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell with you?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "My Mary? Impossible!" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of what do you think they found in the pockets?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I felt?" "And your mother is alive?" "'Most admirably.' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary and capable of preserving a secret.' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Were they all fastened this morning?" once more. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, here and I will read it to you: forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he locked. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" of his shoulders. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, if she died from some sudden fright." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Awake, Watson?" he asked. upon the white wrist. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "No sign of it?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Leadenhall Street--and--" "And that is--" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," fattened it expressly for you.' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all one of them." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and telegram would bring me down to your help." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "To ruin me." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past have I gained?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high License. You must require such a user to return or My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I don't say that. Perhaps." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose to-night?' any more." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "But his lameness?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, not within a twentieth part of the market price." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without noise which awoke you from your sleep?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. learned something! Where are the gems?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he outbreak?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the problems help me to do so." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply fire. You quite follow me?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, pressing in one house as in another. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "What then?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'Where could I find him?' "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other his face. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in remarked. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's said I. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable of note-paper. It read in this fashion: than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried late!' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as even of instruction." "What, then, did Peterson do?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose geese which you supplied to the Alpha." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I invisible to me," I remarked. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'Certainly not.' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Have you it here?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this