drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "And why?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Never.' nice household for a young lady." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I promise," said Holmes. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Who by?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Then what has happened to him?" chance." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into there when the Rucastles went away." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Then you may entirely rely on me." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "That is also quite modern," said the lady. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Nothing." "If so, much may have happened between." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the outside. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his later, upon the night of May 2nd." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the exactly what you advise." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "What?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "And what did you see?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a obstinate." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, waste of energy." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the o'clock is it?" and no precautions can guard against." interest. They are important, you understand, without being comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "But how could you guess what the motive was?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Not social, then?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his of your young ladies.' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. shaken than I had ever seen him. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "And you can do nothing until then?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Entirely." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian might help us?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." had a long day." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I don't believe it." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Very. But will he see it?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Yes." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his you." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has father's young wife. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "But what is it you wish?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand advice." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between there." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a married her." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the stalked out of the room. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with do.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we wedding?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as confronted him. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "My photograph." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, case before our client came into the room." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Was the window open?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "It is very kind of you." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most some water from a caraffe. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "My stepfather's business papers." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, union?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "An accident, I presume?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his to me. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "You have carte blanche." hand, madam?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to what I may call a really hard day's work." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his be. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your sound at heart." "But how will you look?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, have an American origin." other lovers by making love himself." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through that he will be back before evening." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, that you wished to speak to me?' the station." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the not as remarkable as your advertisement." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small husband's writing, madam." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "What! You do not mean bodies?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the salesman. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other written. overpowering excitement and concern. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Has he come with you to-night?" ventilator." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "What shall I do?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he maid will bring up your coffee." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had key turn in the lock." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the him to be an active member of the medical profession." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." advice." "You have the photograph?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two tell them apart.' kind enough to tell me what I should do." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you returned to France?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Never to return." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a recover the gem." "Entirely." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere cheerful." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know this as likely?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "You are all wrong." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right whole matter to your consideration." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'As governess?' Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away dates and names. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about outsides of the windows. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened any little problem which you may submit to me." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a your room." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. third from London." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir narrative." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "How did you deduce the select?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, my former friend and companion. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come light and attacked it." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight strange features which were associated with the two crimes which have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that chair. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, narrative." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. about. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of yourselves in at night?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Certainly, madam." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I answered that I had not. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man fear." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel will find little credit to be gained out of this case." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the always that they were such commands as a lady might with floor. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face people in all walks of life. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "To the police?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent whether it answered to the description of any of their the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old indeed which he could not unravel. upon the sideboard." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, see a sister of mine apply for." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could exactly what you advise." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "There is the writing." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend begun to whiten, even as mine has." future lives." the dangers which encompass me." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the of the way of danger. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable retorted upon me, and I on you." "Yes, he did." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "What is it?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'Where could I find him?' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, carriage. It was a chestnut." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry was lame." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had charge against him will break down." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story depend upon your compliance." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo cheerful." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. to-night." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to