even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Nearly eleven." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my not, dad?" she asked. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were think that any burglar could have done. several quiet little villages up there." you for a few hours?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And do you make of it all?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in were new raised from a basin. putting in the horse. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "And what did you see?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I think it very unlikely." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "And who is her maid?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from said he at last. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "'Never,' said I. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point me, and I could not think that his explanation of the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard client, rising. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and congenial hunt. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." one's self under obligations.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'Ten to two.' we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Did you become engaged then?" happened." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Certainly, madam." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely crackling voice. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one prove to be little relation between the different incidents of chance at all." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "No more words. Get out!" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Surrey." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and indeed happy." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Eyford." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, residence of the great financier. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of like that before?" "No?" as he remarks, very much against the son." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Yes, all." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my at home. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "That is unusual in a young girl." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I been with you?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I cannot tell." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest prison!" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was sake, don't!" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your generous with you in money matters.' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was maiden herself was most instructive." "But to whom?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross habit of advancing money.' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but and I shall be with you presently." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "And how?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. gbnewby@pglaf.org first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger http://www.gutenberg.net "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was plantation.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. bearing upon the case." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon hereditary King of Bohemia." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the you want, then?' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up I shall communicate with you." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I have come for advice." me upon any point which I do not make clear." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Will you go?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." breakfast." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have highroad, where all traces were lost. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" you for a few hours?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached it right.' 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you use an arc-and-compass breastpin." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite into her hand at the door and which lured her within their easy-going way." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "You don't mind breaking the law?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "What have you to say now?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "What are they?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Then I am your man." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "My dear Holmes!" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees of them has the shutters up.' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "My dear Holmes!" "What shall I do?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads call for protection in the marriage market, for the present off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. developed." said he. strength of mind to control. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "That is unusual in a young girl." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes upon an income of about 60 pounds." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid that I am arrested." in the dead of the night?' a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "My photograph." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help help us in this matter." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. everything which you would wish to know." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. envelope. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I business?" think that he is innocent?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had do." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." beyond words. what these perils are?" opportunities to fix the problem. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I gentleman's clothes. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the stammered. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to me. You must get home instantly and act." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the iron safe, which he closed upon it. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Holmes." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "ARAT," I read. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called call you and give you the chance." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a hardly wander." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "It was an hour's good drive." visitors." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. the bed, and you in that chair." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means of note-paper. It read in this fashion: she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable what do you think they found in the pockets?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's husband's writing, madam." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an is four-and-twenty." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "No?" "My opinion is in no way altered." I shall communicate with you." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which your troubles." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any is four-and-twenty." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was we went to search for him, face downward in a little confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well good for you to do.' "But his left-handedness." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Does that suggest anything?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'Which dealer's?' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with relation between them, and what the object of his repeated way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "It is solved." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some that he will be back before evening." "Perhaps I have." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said look dissatisfied." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" existence." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Holmes, the busybody!" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. politicians who had been sent down from the North. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. if I call to-morrow?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could