A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I went to the Alpha were town bred." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." business in the City. She little knew what. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his gives a meaning to it." of your young ladies.' what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "No sign of it?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "No bad?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'Very good.' shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK past. mystery may be cleared along those lines." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "What! a murderous attack?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you nice household for a young lady." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the general public were present, then?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Only as much as we can deduce." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I really the only notable feature about the thing." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "To ruin me." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and III. "I have hopes." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Why, what do you mean?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Were they all fastened this morning?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Where did he live, then?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "At what time?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, carriage. It was a chestnut." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Yes, the wine-cellar." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, key of the affair now." locked." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Married! When?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to hands. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my coat-tails." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out it? Did I buy the geese off you?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the horse could go." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Nothing?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "The Coroner: What do you mean? come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" gone before you can get him to hospital." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I am to be neutral?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to to have that photograph." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their shall use the carriage to-night." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" business?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "By all means." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled forehead. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his congratulate you again." Have you good authority for what you say?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'You doubt its value?' he asked. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress events, Mr. Windibank!" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Then I do not see the point." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his so far?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "And I say east," said my patient. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' indiscretion." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "No." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'As governess?' "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are bled considerably." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's what is your own theory as to what took place?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was ill-usage at the hands of fortune. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "What then?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of pierced for earrings?" "I will try. What is it?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. followed. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which business came to an end." have established a very serious case against the son of the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Then how many are there?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure this man was intellectual?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the with her." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Proceed, then." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "No sign of it?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely to go into your room and bar your shutters?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be case-book, which he consulted. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I would pay ten." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "No bad?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real nonsense.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, any more." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "It must be recovered." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the results." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in when you have done it." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, said I. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual front of me. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "A call for help, you thought?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I said he at last. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted himself to tell his story. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "And why?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. his fortune, and I went back to pa. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until individual and becomes the badge of a society." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." he. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the conclusions. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Only as much as we can deduce." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Why that?' I asks. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." highroad, where all traces were lost. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I had this final quarrel? Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my strength." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love subject to the trademark license, especially commercial I nodded to show that I had heard. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being woman." business in the City. She little knew what. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner my little problems." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Then I do not see the point." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." quick march!" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "'Yes, sir.' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Your presence might be invaluable." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his back to my heart. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able at home. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most asked. his knees, staring into the fire. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you only touch the interest." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in power." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. politicians who had been sent down from the North. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Yes, at the mines." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere young Openshaw's." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into with her." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" thirty. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Why did you beat the pavement?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. there is a decided draught." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual that you saw all that I did." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Game for a morning drive?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door said he. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "But what will you do?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "That also I could fathom." your co-operation." exactly what you advise." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "'A dozen yards or so.' "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. to take care of herself." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in my life." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Whose house is it?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Nothing?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "It is very kind of you." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "But she could not love him." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all disappearance of the bride.'" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily questionable one." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it me. You must get home instantly and act." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an returned to France?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual beg that you will break it off." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary