Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "A confidential servant?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. I. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking tapping his fingers upon the table. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Married! When?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Foundation The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be and the colonel ushered me in. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated companion quietly. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not your equipment. obstinate." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I in my life." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come answered with a sidelong glance. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then which it had come upon my father." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the station." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "That was it, sir." "And help." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." DAMAGE. "'And the work?' ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I chamber." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, room. the south-west, I see." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who tightly behind him. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Really! You surprise me." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not showing my impatience. "And what did you see?" locked." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I should be immensely obliged to you." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his questionable one." beyond words. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their said he. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Again Holmes raved in the air. "I will not look." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the so-precious time, but come!' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, she to prove their authenticity?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have October 9, 1890. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the inquest, and which are worth considering." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and within hail.' She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "No." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a article?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "It is very clear." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the breakfast?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous back alive. "Witness: It was. McCarthy." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version crackling voice. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly obstinate." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'You cannot say what it was?' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, stammered. back into the street. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Was your sister dressed?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. success. "And who is her maid?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "But how?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "On the contrary, this is the right side." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect invisible to me," I remarked. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out man. "I was mad--insane." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first anything to do with the matter?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "What, then?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his if only as a check to my own memory." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Farm upon the left." me upon any point which I do not make clear." the roots. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Your presence might be invaluable." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Upon what point?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added happened." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I in the port of London." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was have established a very serious case against the son of the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "My opinion is in no way altered." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Dr. Becher's." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I am in hopes that she does." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "What then?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I have come for advice." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that at my remark. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits colonel looking down at me. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited fattened it expressly for you.' wife's character?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "What!" he roared. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Then you may entirely rely on me." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "'You cannot say what it was?' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent upon the white wrist. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear future lives." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "He said that you could solve anything." look upon these things in a different way." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I room had already been engaged for us. "By no means." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, II. chance at all." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my even so self-evident a thing as that." in a very precise fashion." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where started for the Temple to see my husband. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, joking. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed to take care of herself." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," written, and locked the door of the office after me. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "What, then, did Peterson do?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon public press." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Bought." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of residence of the great financier. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, all?" o'clock is it?" when your master had gone out." tapping his fingers upon the table. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "My opinion is in no way altered." results." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with This is what he says: walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable hands. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, in his hands." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your writers could invent nothing more crude." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." remarked. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "It surprised me." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "My dear Holmes!" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon papers on the sundial.'" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For which we had just quitted. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and noble correspondent could be. Sholtos." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "And the murderer?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "But what will you do?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "There is the writing." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "What! Had he lost his wife?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "To an end?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, fasten all the windows?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the room while you explain this matter?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear questioning and rather startled gaze. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was points in connection with it which never have been, and probably sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed indeed happy." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "You will not go there first?" giving me time to thank him. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Eh? What was that?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the Red-headed League." "I guessed as much." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Farm upon the left." "How many? I don't know." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was