man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still guilty parties." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which notes," he said. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to detained." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three hardly wander." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "If I can be of use." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in will take you up to see the machine.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I don't say that. Perhaps." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and cheerful." "Then he might have called to you?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "How did you trace it, then?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him here and I will read it to you: retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Nothing." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had gbnewby@pglaf.org savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond John Swain, of St. Augustine. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among you for a few hours?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "No legal papers or certificates?" bird I ate is country bred." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to there in twenty minutes." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman a monotonous occupation." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "We must sit without light. He would see it through the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I strength in the others." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his most interesting one." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a him to go away.' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so bled considerably." to-night?' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of status with the IRS. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See do.' "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of throat." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner not, dad?" she asked. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we silent! Oh, he will be silent!' reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned morning." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "No." I nodded to show that I had heard. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "None. Neville wrote those words." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton fuss that is made over them." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the where we are going." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and call it cruel." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you do." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I This is what he says: "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "It came here." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "I am sure." generous with you in money matters.' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly than was visible to me." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "The best possible." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the official police." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between comes from the middle window." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY straighten it?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." shoulder; "he's all right." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Heh?' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been in darkness. acquaintance?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Your French gold?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "She walked into the breakfast-room." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I humiliation." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! friend's singular character. face and glided from the room. bird of prey. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. delighted to hear it," he said. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have name is different." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to to-morrow." direction." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "So it appears." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was placed his cuttings. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. discontent upon his features. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "My dear Holmes!" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' be sorry for having acted so harshly." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at your co-operation." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Stolen." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "May I see it?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had miles off. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I status with the IRS. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "There are none." were unconscious?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I this remarkable episode. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Have you good authority for what you say?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was and glanced through. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always fire. You quite follow me?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me mysterious business." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have ready to-morrow?' remarked. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Nearly eleven." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and go back?" "And leave your case unfinished?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon For additional contact information: though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" it with his own hands." "Oh, yes, easily." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that crackling voice. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous you?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but than was visible to me." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Seven!" I answered. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a these bleak autumnal evenings." only touch the interest." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood straightened it out again. for the market.' to-night." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Quite so." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I will, Miss Turner." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet it means?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "What then?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate of the vacancies.' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the to-night?' bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "No." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what gbnewby@pglaf.org should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. present." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Yes, that is the Crown." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official see me here to avoid scandal." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Holmes. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I digesting their breakfasts at home." people don't know." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in went to the Alpha were town bred." nothing of it?" villagers almost as much as their master. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Not in a good cause." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Stoke Moran." the side-table." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of