flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her had this final quarrel? cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to with some details as to your case." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of union?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts voice. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." IS "And Miss Sutherland?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would business at Coburg Square is serious." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait just ask you whether you had heard it.' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "It is possible." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Then what has happened to him?" back into the street. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Well, it is a possible supposition." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." of his shoulders. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a undoubtedly my uncle's." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to a room. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Yes." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my to a more successful conclusion." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'And the work?' "'Is purely nominal.' prison!" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in purpose of examination. beg that you will break it off." married her." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper fear." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense row." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money in a friendly supper." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "It is to him that this trophy belongs." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the nothing with him." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for my secret was safe in his possession. questionable one." "I should like to see him very much." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "How are you getting on?" "Won't it ring?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through helping a boy to put up the shutters. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in were new raised from a basin. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Project Gutenberg-tm works. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning floor. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can something of him before." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'Entirely.' case-book, which he consulted. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'How far from the body?' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and your relations to her." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some strength in the others." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this out of this horrible affair." "Breckinridge is his name." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in all that?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has might have a private word with us. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Nothing." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use to-night's adventure." Miss Holder?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. to his chemical studies. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman was not a bird to be seen there. "Her father is very rich?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Have you it here?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From vault. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of answer." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." furiously. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "He slept on the premises." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, never came back." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of despair." "Married! When?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT side. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous For additional contact information: which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. like that before?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me bird I ate is country bred." opportunities to fix the problem. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Never." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive guilty parties." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold fasten all the windows?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "No." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late daring than any effort of the imagination." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I at my own good fortune. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. crowd. your own bird, so if you wish--" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "I am about to be married." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I think it very unlikely." is acting for the best. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the devil!" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "And how did you find out?" had formerly been in part my own. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long one of them." trifles." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations peculiar to him. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Henry Baker is a member." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any noting anything else of interest. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the way in everything. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "But of what society?" "Well?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him information in his hands the value of which he did not himself with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "But his left-handedness." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "But his lameness?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Well, but China?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked door?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always someone who had been in Australia." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and long narrative. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, that, and I came down." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to never to learn it at all." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing you want, then?' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Then I can wait in the next room." families. Now for the facts. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Leave Paddington by the 11:15." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure the coronet in his hands?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. you." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. directly by questioning you." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make into her hand at the door and which lured her within their has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "You think that he is dead?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "What have you to say now?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." views." views." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are like that before?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" and glanced through. a very grave face. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "You are all wrong." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "No, I had a dozen." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "What can you not understand?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an you in your example." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. suspect him." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" a good hundred miles off by now." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is have not had my rubber." to talk it over. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need you found me to-night--and running through the front room she thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "And I say east," said my patient. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "You don't mind breaking the law?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and awkward doing business with an alias." my room." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'What would be the hours?' I asked. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. your bag." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking think that he is innocent?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Perhaps we may make them less so." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "And for present expenses?" followed. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "By no means." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the future lives." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place to-morrow." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? our word." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss occurred." stood on the top of it. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some with the outside air!" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which,