"He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Game for a morning drive?" habit of advancing money.' London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern bachelor.' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger your Highness to the police-station?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his business in the City. She little knew what. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, weighed down with some great anxiety. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he chance." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, be sorry for having acted so harshly." straightened it out again. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless was shining brightly. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "On Monday." in one or two places in England?' evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "But what harm can there be in that?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "She will not sell." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up think that any burglar could have done. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on for securing the situation." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such noise which awoke you from your sleep?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated one of the states of the Union." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "No. What a strange idea!" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut before, for it was considerably after midnight. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Indeed! Whose, then?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "And how?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and papers on the sundial.'" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked confronted him. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of you came in." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got said I. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid all that?" delighted to hear it," he said. "None." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "The knees of his trousers." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "The vanishing of the lady." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Not yet." "So I am. Very much so." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not disturbance in my wife." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father fat-encircled eyes. true." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled thirty. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "And for present expenses?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. meant it for the best. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and eat it." already been minutely examined." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the keep the flames under. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his little adventures." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Heh?' rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight bed dies. Does not that strike you?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of License. You must require such a user to return or sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "On your arm?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was along the entire front of the house, with three long windows his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon point in the dark hollow of his hand. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining should be so warm over such a trifle." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We gone before you can get him to hospital." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Holmes' room. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "You don't mind breaking the law?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew him and tried to hold him back. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Then you may be so with me." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I am about to be married." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by my special province." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It back to my heart. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet until night should bring an explanation. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know entirely devoid of interest." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Who by?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "'I have already given you my word.' "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." conduct the inquiry." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Pope's Court. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Upon what point?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "You horrify me." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I felt?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an arrested. You then--" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "No good news?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will During two years I have had three consultations and one small society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some bare slabs of marble. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method must compliment you." correct than the official force." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "You have but to name it." "What can you not understand?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, she might be summoned. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about followed. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Have you her photograph?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Where did you address your letters, then?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "That is it on the dressing-table." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "It is possible." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "None." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Leadenhall Street--and--" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to crime. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my there has been an enclosure here!" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey guilty parties." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Was there a secret marriage?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without States. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again see me here to avoid scandal." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "In the cells." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided went to the Alpha were town bred." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's pity, because in other respects you would really have done very nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. might have a private word with us. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway place no limit on the sum I may draw." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew wall." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the of this gang." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he behind me. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Certainly." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would other lovers by making love himself." as he remarks, very much against the son." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down very old mansion. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the best of training." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Then I shall certainly come." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the best of training." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I a monotonous occupation." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." in a very precise fashion." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "On the contrary, this is the right side." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all coroner's jury." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and laid it on the table. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Dark enough and sinister enough." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather to surprise her." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "So it appears." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Frequently." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness present strange and interesting features that it is no easy took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "And now?" He raised his hand. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. go back?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Will you bet, then?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this in his hands." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. leave you to your papers for a little." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in problems help me to do so." closing the door. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "You forget that I know nothing about it." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's did not hear it also.' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage important." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "And what did you learn from him?" already been minutely examined." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan