few hundred pounds.' for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of it." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 residence of the great financier. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted opened the door, and slipped through. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But point in the dark hollow of his hand. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "No bad?" charge against him will break down." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came friend's singular character. your only hope of safety." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "This concluded the examination of the witness." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "And what then?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold of Fenchurch Street." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in weighed down with some great anxiety. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for you in your example." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "And how in the world did you find them?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his touch that coronet?' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "No, distinctly professional." laugh and put his lips to my ear. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" think you a quite exceptional woman." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to problems help me to do so." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "One of the highest in England." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." all?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the house with me." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "My dear Holmes!" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "No?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the fear." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away lost nothing by them." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the matter over." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me think that any burglar could have done. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Then how many are there?" this Miss Turner." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices him." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "I would pay ten." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and himself in a perplexing position. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'Yes, sir.' "And you don't know his address?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I leave." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, furiously. "What do you mean?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then carried out of court." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime occurred." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'Ten to two.' "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, already been minutely examined." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed tear off another piece?' "My photograph." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my such attractions and accomplishments?' "We were both in the photograph." you." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was strode off upon his way. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Entirely." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Yes." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "But what harm can there be in that?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "But he might be a bachelor." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the child." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as or in danger--" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the to Leatherhead. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "By no means." hand, madam?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what remarked. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so come either from the window or the door. My attention was standing smiling on the door-step. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I have a cab outside." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I gives a meaning to it." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the other means.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Certainly." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he matter over." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Precisely." "Then I do not see the point." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural not as remarkable as your advertisement." started for the Temple to see my husband. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from definite end. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so more solid." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working it." fasten all the windows?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "What will you do, then?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait presented which may be striking and bizarre without being self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Certainly." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the leave you to your papers for a little." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "I have hopes." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad seven miles from Eyford Station.' say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "If I can be of use." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the deduce something from that?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Who was the criminal, then?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, mysterious end." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll way: remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers meant it for the best. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Yes." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman narrative." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of child?' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. strode off upon his way. hopeless attempt at recovering them." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "How did that help you?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Deserted you?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, my secret was safe in his possession. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who to me. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest do.' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their tear off another piece?' half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came if only as a check to my own memory." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "That you are never beaten." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us letters?" "How do you know, then?" "Of what day?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, not as remarkable as your advertisement." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is views." I have it here in my museum." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley see me here to avoid scandal." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'Yes, sir.' "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "It came here." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm have got?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "It was an hour's good drive." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'Most admirably.' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Pray let us have it, for all that." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "No." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Miss Holder?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my conceal it?" "What then?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who his huge brown hands. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Yesterday." "What shall I do?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes morning." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "You have the photograph?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once was already answered. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and becomes even more simple." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the gentleman's clothes. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that charge against him will break down." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. such person." address. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I been able to understand it, in a very few words. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds sofa. This way, please!" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest