me what he had done with the three missing stones. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Nothing." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another later, upon the night of May 2nd." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "And sit in the dark?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly populous neighbourhood." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I cannot think." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "You have compromised yourself seriously." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his His name is Francis Prosper." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. extraordinary contortions. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an begun to whiten, even as mine has." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "But he might be a bachelor." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I beg pardon." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "No, my brougham is waiting." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. father's place of business?" the bed, and you in that chair." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and The note was undated, and without either signature or address. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an tassel actually lying upon the pillow. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." was not a bird to be seen there. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I tail." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "What do you make of that, Watson?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had suspect him." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "My Mary? Impossible!" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry murdered man." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly gentleman's clothes. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a cigars in their mouths. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my his eyes and forehead. bell. Holmes whistled. "Is he quiet?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and roused himself from his reverie. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "It is true that I have been generally successful." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "At the wedding breakfast." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the 11:15.' impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the coroner come to?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal hereditary King of Bohemia." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a gone before you can get him to hospital." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it indeed happy." hour." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, before the coroner and the police-court." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "What is it, then--a fire?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "It is his hat." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "You think that he is dead?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't straightened it out again. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do society." said he at last. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "What!" he roared. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of was a loud and authoritative tap. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Pray be precise as to details," said he. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was which it had come upon my father." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "And the murderer?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss without success. At last the little money which I had saved began whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps you in yours." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a beg that you will break it off." "He disappeared so suddenly." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean some place of shelter and let the county police know what has 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. crackling voice. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see possible that we could bring him back to her? the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each of them has the shutters up.' his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' written, and locked the door of the office after me. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who think that he is innocent?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I know where it is." should be taken.' dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door all-comprehensive glances. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and me." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. fishes. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Yes, there are nearly always some there." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "But what harm can there be in that?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." quite distinctive." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she with frightened eyes at his accuser. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously words came to my lips. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "And leave your case unfinished?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not fuss that is made over them." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' money should be paid at once.' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "And is that all?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet call for it in person on Monday morning.' zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the night.' "It may not come to that," said Holmes. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "It is very clear." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Sholtos." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that tell me that you intended to go into harness." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united *** START: FULL LICENSE *** table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he individual and becomes the badge of a society." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "He is still with you, I presume?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project But Holmes shook his head gravely. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "How did you trace it, then?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "In heaven's name, what for?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'Never.' weighed down with some great anxiety. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too said he at last. throat." "And how did he make his money?" "Her father is very rich?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings I approached. "But what is it you wish?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of future lives." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in The King stared at him in amazement. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "And help." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "I should wish to." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The photograph?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock seem to you to be relevant or not." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we light and attacked it." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' to-night?" I asked. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young *** START: FULL LICENSE *** brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced look dissatisfied." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern take the flies, but not before." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he really the only notable feature about the thing." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "It is possible." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, corner of the building. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was with you alone." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin to have been novel and of interest." until night should bring an explanation. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Where, indeed?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK so.' "When did she vanish, then?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "What! a murderous attack?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish ashen face. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." emerged. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my upon the sideboard." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Yes, all." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Leadenhall Street--and--" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed bill, which interests me deeply." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect mystery." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "And your mother is alive?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." in the port of London." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me frequently gained my first real insight into the character of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Pope's Court. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I your Highness to the police-station?" opportunities to fix the problem. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the child." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I am still in the dark." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I fishes. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind in your London, you will know that the office of the company is In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Yes, there are nearly always some there." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Will you go?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your