"And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to take the flies, but not before." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I fear not." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "But you can know nothing of this?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "There is the writing." straighten it?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the shoulder. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "It is possible." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "But you have hopes?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the running down." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "No." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Yes." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two will take you up to see the machine.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the telegram would bring me down to your help." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much delirious. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's them present such singular features as the strange train of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" weapon." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for nonsense.' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it ready to-morrow?' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "What can you not understand?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Holmes' face clouded over. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" awaited us upon the table. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman chill to my heart. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." any little problem which you may submit to me." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "And for present expenses?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder I shall communicate with you." cup of tea. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King examine." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "And what then?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an nothing with him." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in have established a very serious case against the son of the "That you are never beaten." which was all perfectly true. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "That is unusual in a young girl." "Certainly." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Here?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, your co-operation." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the infinite languor in his face. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this some terrible trap for her." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in happened." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. on re-entering her father's house?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'And the work?' with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, stood on the top of it. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a unprecedented a position." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a guilty one." of his shoulders. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I good-night and bustled off upon her way. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always is worth.' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I was lame." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting both be extremely obliged.' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Tell me all about it,' said I. all?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Where does the thing come from?' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very had a long day." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. 'please.'" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "And you thought he was pulled back?" that you saw all that I did." "Who was the criminal, then?" gives a meaning to it." matter." For additional contact information: fuss that is made over them." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Yes, certainly." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Nothing?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the arrangements." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press stepfather?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from straightened it out again. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, to tackle the facts." have been better. It is all right." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You were new raised from a basin. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing believe that I should never have any practice at all. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Why serious?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would must compliment you." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the south, for the country is more deserted there." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the foot. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a said he. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Yes, sir.' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I have hopes." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk my special province." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret highly," said Holmes. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the highroad, where all traces were lost. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "What do you mean?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. kindly on the shoulder. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all be there in time for your coming." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Were they all fastened this morning?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a During two years I have had three consultations and one small "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in companion. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits memory. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" feature." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'Yes.' "But he might be a bachelor." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I will do it." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less he bowed and left the room without another word. "She told me to ask you." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." during that time.' "And now?" He raised his hand. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Quite so. She has her freedom." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is letters?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic acquaintance?" not, dad?" she asked. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with telegram would bring me down to your help." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of most interesting one." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would information in his hands the value of which he did not himself where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for of note-paper. It read in this fashion: that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might visitors." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. least a most suspicious remark." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." that you saw all that I did." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite had picked up in the wood. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and laid it on the table. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. again, where I was soon asleep. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Why did you pick him?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion knowledge of the world." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact some city in a dream. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid signal between you and your father? my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "But what harm can there be in that?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the served to weaken the effect. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "No, but the enclosure is." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Ten will be early enough." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and of fine shops and stately business premises that they really confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "And what then?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Yes, from Horsham." chair. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "The best possible." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the outsides of the windows. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "It is no ordinary one." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "What is it, then--a fire?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "It is very kind of you." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" handed it to him. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat other, as fresh and trim as possible. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst derbies." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and again on its way. mystery!" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country