"I should like to see him very much." system of imprisonment?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. McCarthy." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This should be taken.' absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. me." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small beyond words. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw means taking possession of that which another person has a prior what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "She showed me, as I told you she would." second." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining pity, because in other respects you would really have done very was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that from you?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "The vanishing of the lady." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Yes, only one." the coronet at all injured?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to see a sister of mine apply for." "Entirely." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather spark where all is dark to me." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I DAMAGE. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this without success. At last the little money which I had saved began and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with forebodings. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. thin legs towards the fire. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" his eyes and forehead. What do you deduce from it?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "What of the rat, then?" touch that coronet?' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That ago." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Witness: It was. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of and the colonel ushered me in. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to outbreak?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect better in every way that they should make their position a little "My dear Holmes!" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Have you it here?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "But who is he?" highroad, where all traces were lost. "That is it on the dressing-table." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. second." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "But his lameness?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning prepare for the new role I have to play." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "'What are you doing there?' he asked. detained." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'Is purely nominal.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking this Miss Turner." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' been anything against him. He had for years been known as a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "That is possible." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full singular points about the case. What did the police think of the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'Which dealer's?' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm over with notes and figures. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had seven miles from Eyford Station.' you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, not come at once?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. what I may call a really hard day's work." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Quite so." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "No." "You have the photograph?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and wife's character?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. that you can jump it.' hurried away. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Ten will be early enough." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'Ten to two.' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, ourselves in the office." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped late!' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old correct than the official force." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I cannot tell." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new my room." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police should be so warm over such a trifle." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "You have but to name it." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "In answer to an advertisement." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "In the cells." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and never to learn it at all." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The gigantic client. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." acquaintance?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he you give your casting vote to?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was examine." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'And what salary do you ask?' for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible could not have written that. It is the German who is so papers." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each where she found matters as described by the last witness. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should could not have written that. It is the German who is so held up the lantern and gazed about him. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "But you can know nothing of this?" once more to my work. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so http://gutenberg.net/license). here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that business matters.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I cannot imagine." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as said Mr. Holder. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the coroner come to?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of comes from the middle window." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon villagers almost as much as their master. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Was the window open?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the business in the City. She little knew what. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "You think that he is dead?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Yes, that is the Crown." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Yes." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I will do it." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. hand, madam?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even during which he might have communicated with his friend the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. was a loud and authoritative tap. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged will not take me long to tell. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's and put his glass in his pocket. ago." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than 1.E.9. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Then I shall certainly come." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual coroner's jury." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Dirty?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "It is no ordinary one." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Then, how do you know?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "The landlord of the Alpha." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "And you thought he was pulled back?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." of Fenchurch Street." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the so-precious time, but come!' might help us?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Very well, sir. And this stone?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Not social, then?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "No good news?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "What then?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to have established a very serious case against the son of the felt?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in call you and give you the chance." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a heavy and sharp instrument." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'Oh, no.' was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "What is it?" round and wave him away like that.' Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "How did he come?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his infinite languor in his face. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "You heard nothing yourself last night?" chamber." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over eat it." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Really! You surprise me." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America points in connection with it which never have been, and probably obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to laugh and put his lips to my ear. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you you came in." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace