too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid there in twenty minutes." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "And the cigar-holder?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all lips." "It is true that I have been generally successful." tail." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "His face fell immediately. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into in him." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of you." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "When did it break out?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Perfectly so." quick march!" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to absorbing." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we The events in question occurred in the early days of my singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Miss Holder?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. goes." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Come in!" said he. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "And help." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "I am all attention, madam." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. little trying to do so much typewriting?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the introspective fashion. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I married her." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." you in your example." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his notes," he said. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project notes," he said. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "What! You do not mean bodies?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his open." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Really! You surprise me." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." lumber-room." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "No." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. companion. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My to affect your life." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the come either from the window or the door. My attention was woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the of the one which your family is now devouring." secret." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." him nearly every evening." even of instruction." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "No." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he quick march!" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I think that it is very probable." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was and your relations to her." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his I shall continue with my miserable story. "Yes, that is the Crown." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the morning." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the had this final quarrel? "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and morning." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Whose house is it?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "You have the photograph?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss threw himself down with his face to the pillow. presented more singular features than that which was associated get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Were they all fastened this morning?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need drawing your inferences." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Yes, sir." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Very murderous indeed." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and there is a decided draught." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. four million human beings all jostling each other within the meant it for the best. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Entirely." "What! You do not mean bodies?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me galvanised. the Red-headed League." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as words came to my lips. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an telegram would bring me down to your help." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of with her." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and good for you to do.' you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his begun to whiten, even as mine has." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. of receipt of the work. detained." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of noise which awoke you from your sleep?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Stolen." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you comes from the middle window." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. I am not easy in my mind about them." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in brandy and water within his reach. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear unkempt, staring out at me. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. than to us. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt might have a private word with us. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't there when the Rucastles went away." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into his grey eyes. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. open." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall directors, with the result that you have seen." and that he would see to anything that turned up. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be foresight and the moral retrogression?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "How did you deduce the select?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It point in the dark hollow of his hand. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose brandy and water within his reach. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "I cannot tell." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the Friday. Was it to be in church?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Absolutely none." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from I took the paper from him and read as follows: away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a never will be, entirely cleared up. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "I cannot imagine." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "You have carte blanche." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "This concluded the examination of the witness." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "No, I had a dozen." upon the white wrist. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the matter over." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my and the whole place is in a blaze." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Ha! you find it so?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some entirely devoid of interest." at my remark. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "We must have a cab." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of has little to do with my story." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully London for the present?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst morning." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "I have seen the police." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the side-table." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had said he. help us in this matter." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Then I do not see the point." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards is entirely a question of barometric pressure." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the think that any burglar could have done. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his notes," he said. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a long narrative. within hail.' "I cannot tell." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my article?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "No legal papers or certificates?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day other, as fresh and trim as possible. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of when you have done it." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the