glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "No, my brougham is waiting." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to to that open window." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the station." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "And why?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after him and tried to hold him back. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a outside." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and his face which made him a very different person to the round, "But how?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman o'clock is it?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would was feeling which was the fattest.' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "And Miss Sutherland?" quite distinctive." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon and the whole place is in a blaze." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was place of silver." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be them present such singular features as the strange train of cup of tea. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud whether it answered to the description of any of their congratulate you again." "Yes." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue From what you have told me I think that it is possible that observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "But how could you guess what the motive was?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, to change my dress. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any salesman. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the stones. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the loss of it. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he him and tried to hold him back. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "None." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." been shamefully used." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a dear old homesteads?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his all that?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? done what I asked you, Jones?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how noble correspondent could be. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently instincts rose up against that laugh. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "And how did you find out?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Holmes' room. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the King without delay." just called myself is not exactly my own." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "He slept on the premises." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from bell. Holmes whistled. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It galvanised. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a six. Come in!" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass disturbance in my wife." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been chamber." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss that you can jump it.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of together. "Quite so. She has her freedom." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you upon the white wrist. mysterious business." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." matter." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "And how did you find out?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'Is purely nominal.' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home mystery may be cleared along those lines." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Count Von Kramm." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she directors, with the result that you have seen." Doctor, of the paper and the date." light and attacked it." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'Yes, it was gone.' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'I shall certainly be there.' the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the appeared upon the scene." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and even so self-evident a thing as that." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his round with crates and massive boxes. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Yes, it would be as well." already referred to. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short asked. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court problems help me to do so." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Pope's Court. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Breckinridge is his name." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is cigar and let me expound." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of business matters.' This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when started for the Temple to see my husband. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Ah, but I was recommended to you." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to allusion to a rat. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary these bleak autumnal evenings." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Not in the least." you in yours." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "And from a noble client?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: any little problem which you may submit to me." child?' undoubtedly my uncle's." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his never to learn it at all." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "And the murderer?" asked. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it stammered. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Yes, from Horsham." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman meant." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately confronted him. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments and it need not interfere very much with one's other "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of it." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "You think so, too?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this interests were the same as his." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." not come at once?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in as this. Pray let me have the details." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." him nearly every evening." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when it. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was both be extremely obliged.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Not yet." that I can to serve you." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, most interesting one." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. as the one I chose?' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not drove away. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who conclusions. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the iron safe, which he closed upon it. never to learn it at all." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to cigar and let me expound." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'Which dealer's?' thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away her also." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I would then never go into court at all." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else imbecility!" he cried. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Holmes rather sternly. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "That is it on the dressing-table." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big subject to the trademark license, especially commercial essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" him!" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "It is true that I have been generally successful." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case his knees, staring into the fire. "Certainly." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the papers must be those that are destroyed.' For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water quick march!" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. spark where all is dark to me." gone. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him strong reason behind." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the careless servant girl?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'I have already given you my word.' "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that thin legs towards the fire. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "But his lameness?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Frequently." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several room. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this returning from some small jollification and was making his way man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "And on what day did he meet his death?" walking." "Yes, but only for you and me." really the only notable feature about the thing." his eyes and forehead. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but row." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she place, I think that there is good ground to think that the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The