"I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very this remarkable episode. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own followed. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand way in everything. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the about here speaks of his kindness to him." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the tragedy. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and had died away into the silence from which it rose. remarked. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured I think that I could be of assistance to you." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "It is possible." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there think that he is innocent?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Will you bet, then?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Yes, that is the Crown." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her appeared upon the scene." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit at my remark. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two matters immensely." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes relief. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' as he remarks, very much against the son." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce some terrible trap for her." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred remarked. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and that he would see to anything that turned up. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Your French gold?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several questionable one." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "And how have you succeeded?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that imbecility!" he cried. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. criminal. We have already had experience of such." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" you in your example." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and entirely lost his self-respect." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." these bleak autumnal evenings." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly in the hope of finding them." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Where is it, then?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found eat it." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Why did you pick him?" "That is it on the dressing-table." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I compunction about shooting them down." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "But you were on a friendly footing?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and entirely lost his self-respect." "That is possible." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would me." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his photograph?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to weighed down with some great anxiety. which are rolled in Rotterdam." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Literary Archive Foundation "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, footfalls from the street. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "About a month then." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." My friend smiled. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed any." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I will not look." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Two days later this same performance was gone through under A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and for and were ordered to this address. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "But how will you look?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark is now desirous of getting those letters back." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Surrey." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me stood on the top of it. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," had a long day." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at crowd. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her directors have had misgivings upon the subject." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to his knees, staring into the fire. key of the affair now." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you His smile broadened. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions in the hope of finding them." "That is easily got." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where than was visible to me." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel This is what he says: could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the disappearance of these gems?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally October 9, 1890. wanted for ourselves." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they late!' with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise been shamefully used." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your disturbance in my wife." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. name is different." "Where, then?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "You think that he is dead?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I to go into your room and bar your shutters?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a call the police, let the police find what they can.' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 colour had been driven from his face. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can danger is over." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the than was visible to me." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray of it with the greatest attention. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by redistribution. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You as yours." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to present." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than your co-operation." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "This photograph!" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "By train from Waterloo." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "You will not go there first?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Pray do so." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "'What are you doing there?' he asked. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon think you a quite exceptional woman." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he to affect your life." "Yes." My friend smiled. which was all perfectly true. "But who is he?" it." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "But what is it you wish?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'What do you call purely nominal?' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth into her hand at the door and which lured her within their loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his entirely devoid of interest." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. my room." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "By all means." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the bed, and you in that chair." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the loss of it. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "And how have you succeeded?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking help us in this matter." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I who was a member of your goose club." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who 11:15.' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "What are they?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that families. Now for the facts. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him populous neighbourhood." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being to-morrow." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying always that they were such commands as a lady might with company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some front of me. the nursery. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "But his left-handedness." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." few hundred pounds.' very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure leaning back in his chair. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman bill, which interests me deeply." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a