earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Oh, fresh and glossy." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang and wait." "'As governess?' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the running down." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "The King of Scandinavia." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by him nearly every evening." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of friend's singular character. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "In answer to an advertisement." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from province." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I see many objections to any such theory." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'It is locked up,' I answered. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and on re-entering her father's house?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I relief. "Then, how do you know?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "You don't mind breaking the law?" "At half-wages, in fact." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the dangers which encompass me." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "A call for help, you thought?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who something of him before." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which fat-encircled eyes. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "None." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can three fields round his house, and there he would take his The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "It is possible." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, to you." "That you are never beaten." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, such attractions and accomplishments?' chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "'And the work?' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me presented more singular features than that which was associated you." light and attacked it." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to unprofitable." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said stepfather?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I have come for advice." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past upon the white wrist. "Only as much as we can deduce." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES about. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "My photograph." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Nothing." visitors." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban with you alone." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally union?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the him to be an active member of the medical profession." green of the new foliage. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat ceremony." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I guessed as much." roused himself from his reverie. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my new duties?' from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Holmes." go from here to the Strand." come either from the window or the door. My attention was always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" locked." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody a room. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included You want to know what became of those geese?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the stable lane now." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Munro.' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "He said too much." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I question you as to those details which seem to me to be most gentleman's clothes. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but points in connection with it which never have been, and probably eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Have you it here?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias The note was undated, and without either signature or address. despaired of." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute furiously. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of brandy and water within his reach. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be front of me. "I am armed." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously straighten it?" with you alone." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she is now desirous of getting those letters back." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that intrusion of other matters." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up would apply.' and I shall be with you presently." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "So it appears." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is them?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Thank you. And your address?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right my room." be. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. gives a meaning to it." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I cannot say that I have." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the obstinate." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "And I to find an enemy." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "You are hungry," I remarked. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. address. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed away to you." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in business in the City. She little knew what. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the daring than any effort of the imagination." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but his face. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out manager. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "And you don't know his address?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we individual and becomes the badge of a society." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an would apply.' newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The them, and came down just as you departed. girl said." individual and becomes the badge of a society." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "And why in hopes?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking said he, "my real name is James Ryder." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the on re-entering her father's house?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable I have it here in my museum." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Well, some hundreds of times." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "From his hat?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he of Fenchurch Street." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I am in hopes that she does." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, shaken than I had ever seen him. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'I have already given you my word.' "I have a cab outside." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I business at Coburg Square is serious." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the station." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is better grown goose." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency six. Come in!" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "The decline of his fortunes, then?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and purpose of examination. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local other, as fresh and trim as possible. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of reach." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the bed, and you in that chair." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever drove away. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On experiences." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Yes, it was twisted." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "May I see it?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "That is unusual in a young girl." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right 'I should be able to look after that for you.' five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner main points of my analysis." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran window when the police appeared." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "By no means." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "What can it mean?" I gasped. depend upon my doing so.' whole matter to your consideration." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Pray do so." IS chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, coroner's jury." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to room?" that, and I came down." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I kind enough to tell me what I should do." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty