but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "On Monday." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "It's nothing of the kind." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that fasten all the windows?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, rooms." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" records." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" certainly not very gracious." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Did your wife hear all this?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Why did you beat the pavement?" crime. you." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "It came here." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "No." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." deduce something from that?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "It is no ordinary one." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Yes." in him." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "She told me to ask you." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "No, distinctly professional." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat might help us?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "In San Francisco, a year ago." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of stammered. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply beg that you will break it off." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Quite so." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this James Windibank. Voilà tout!" legal crime." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less it were putty." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend four million human beings all jostling each other within the highly," said Holmes. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly him and tried to hold him back. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and remarked. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the letters?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "And I to find an enemy." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek a very grave face. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a The King stared at him in amazement. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch The summons was a brief and urgent one. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall locked." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "No." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said one or two very singular points about this room. For example, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six back into the street. "That is it on the dressing-table." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where of the one which your family is now devouring." "What shall I do?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and overpowering excitement and concern. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "My own seal." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Leadenhall Street--and--" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Game for a morning drive?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever in him." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of done what I asked you, Jones?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to evidence," I remarked. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Yes, only one." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there during which he might have communicated with his friend the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress were wasted." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. outsides of the windows. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and individual and becomes the badge of a society." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a distance from the station, and there we found the young lady member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and bill, which interests me deeply." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his relation between them, and what the object of his repeated and shall probably return to London by the evening train." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "What?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. woven round him. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free yourselves in at night?" such attractions and accomplishments?' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "When did she vanish, then?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its see a sister of mine apply for." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting criminal. We have already had experience of such." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, IS Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and laid it on the table. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it society." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Was your sister dressed?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. was lame." should be taken.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Very truly yours, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On go from here to the Strand." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to interest. They are important, you understand, without being that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the examine." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a pressing in one house as in another. business matters.' "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Nothing." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Holmes rather sternly. his grey eyes. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you noting anything else of interest. "Then I am your man." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to pierced for earrings?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered point in the dark hollow of his hand. case-book, which he consulted. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he most important business. It is probable that he will be away all glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I three of the beryls in it, was missing. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down results." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and case before our client came into the room." Doctor, of the paper and the date." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal thin legs towards the fire. out of this horrible affair." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went directors, with the result that you have seen." better in every way that they should make their position a little "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the brain must have something in it." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I asked. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close over his head with a sweet womanly caress. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Heh?' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the child." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client I am not easy in my mind about them." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Yes, that is the Crown." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more ready to-morrow?' "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young that he has suffered." fled together." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass DISSOLVED. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may how narrow had been my escape. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and capable of preserving a secret.' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Precisely so. But how--" "Yes." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I promise," said Holmes. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Whose house is it?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been residence of the great financier. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Yes." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the nursery. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had examine." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into discontent upon his features. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to