mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Have you it here?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the empty. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Get out!" said he. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some brain must have something in it." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, hurried by. galvanised. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present than was visible to me." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Precisely so. But how--" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked ventilator." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project orange pips. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "To the police?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, observed. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I shall be delighted." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. works. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "In answer to an advertisement." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, rat could hardly pass through." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Never." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid golden eyeglasses. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we round and wave him away like that.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy outside." I think that I could be of assistance to you." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "You are hungry," I remarked. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" lost his Christmas dinner." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are fire. You quite follow me?" "Then what has happened to him?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my it. when you have done it." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "'I am sure if I had known--' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Look there!" said he. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Could he throw no light?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the weighed down with some great anxiety. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out both be extremely obliged.' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do his eyes and forehead. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Absolutely none." "But what harm can there be in that?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 quickly through a disagreeable task. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "No. What a strange idea!" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. a good hundred miles off by now." to a light-house. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination both be extremely obliged.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and wait." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "At what time?" "Entirely." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Always." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" strong and stiff." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the window, rose as we entered. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the 1.E.9. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "You are certainly joking, Holmes." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "The doctor?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "What?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time married her." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave rat could hardly pass through." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Why did you pick him?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee It may be so in this case, also." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, lamp. "Did your wife hear all this?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "But who is he?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in indeed which he could not unravel. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal be there in time for your coming." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the window, rose as we entered. to tackle the facts." "My dear Holmes!" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the matter." of receipt of the work. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Which are?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the deduce something from that?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking official police." "I am armed." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "May I see it?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Nothing." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "None." do.' the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and union?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is now. It seems that there had been some informality about their course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'What then?' I asked. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted present strange and interesting features that it is no easy self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. outside. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring said he. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Do you receive much company?" he asked. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "What can it mean?" I gasped. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the night.' records." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I say it is." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical him to go away.' At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then particular state visit http://pglaf.org wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a occupations.' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "It's nothing of the kind." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "We must sit without light. He would see it through the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of residence of the great financier. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and someone who had been in Australia." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to you." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely held up the lantern and gazed about him. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness held up the lantern and gazed about him. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her and shall probably return to London by the evening train." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Yes, it would be as well." "And how?" "Yes." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the learned something! Where are the gems?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'Very good.' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the me where it went to?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. envelope. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a hands. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a outsides of the windows. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl brought there to personate someone, and the real person is farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon way in." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster how narrow had been my escape. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for yourselves in at night?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this entirely lost his self-respect." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should beyond words. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss now. It seems that there had been some informality about their far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual distinguish the words: headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'Ten to two.' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I detective. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the roots. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have mystery may be cleared along those lines." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each about here speaks of his kindness to him." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Very. But will he see it?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. get her out of the way." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. with her." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "What of the rat, then?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "No, distinctly professional." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my conduct the inquiry." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I my room." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "You have but to name it." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And how have you succeeded?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Yes, from Horsham." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of