tapping his fingers upon the table. less than 26s. 4d. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." your only hope of safety." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would figure." "And now?" I asked. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe your Highness to the police-station?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Not in the least." "Entirely." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with For additional contact information: is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "10th. John Swain cleared. hour." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his you." "'Stolen!' he cried. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to disturbance in my wife." carried out of court." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." to affect your life." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears approach us with offers to donate. "Precisely." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution returned to France?" not come at once?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'I shall certainly be there.' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Holmes, the busybody!" there has been an enclosure here!" "That you are never beaten." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. something of him before." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the important." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "It is a murder, then?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Come in!" said he. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Well, it is a possible supposition." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, said I. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know fire. You quite follow me?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "But to whom?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be one else, I think." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I am about to be married." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." one else, I think." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. ran thus: half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the his huge brown hands. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the matter." sound at heart." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of companion quietly. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "No, distinctly professional." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I would give my fortune to have them back." unkempt, staring out at me. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' companion. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "But what is it you wish?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Just look it up, then." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery sit on the left-hand side of the driver." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally already referred to. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings attention." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single nonsense.' "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young notes," he said. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it License. You must require such a user to return or perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your a very grave face. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "From his hat?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." had formerly been in part my own. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." once more. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "The rest you will leave in our hands." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "That is also quite modern," said the lady. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the one as in the other." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I am to be neutral?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes think that he is innocent?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it eavesdroppers?' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning writer." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Eh? What was that?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I cannot imagine." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "My Mary? Impossible!" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to been with you?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an hopeless attempt at recovering them." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "And the murderer?" was a lad." "Yes, he did." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' in one or two places in England?' was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Yes, I have one waiting." tear off another piece?' that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in one which it was hard to resist. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'Where to?' "And how have you succeeded?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an locked." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. of the one which your family is now devouring." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." it." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Farm upon the left." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Yes." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and clang of the bell. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't heavy and sharp instrument." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who must be when I saw the door open.' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Precisely." "Well, but China?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Come in!" said Holmes. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see there in twenty minutes." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "So I have heard." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes have an American origin." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to detained." lamp in his hand. "Very murderous indeed." of a light. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the would then never go into court at all." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of and glanced through. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the room while you explain this matter?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the this as likely?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason thought that she would have been so carried away." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the coronet in his hand?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a would apply.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my that you saw all that I did." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. when you have done it." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the off." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "How on earth--" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have to tackle the facts." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Yes." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has fluttered off among the others. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing anything to a woman, for she would have her way." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he just ask you whether you had heard it.' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the before the coroner and the police-court." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat own family. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is spark where all is dark to me." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Did you become engaged then?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Nothing?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by any." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Ten will be early enough." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. neither fascinating nor artistic." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "It looks newer than the other things?" "I think it very unlikely." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Perhaps we may make them less so." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came not come at once?" introspective fashion. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I think that it is very probable." "I will do it." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some