to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not good for you to do.' be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can ceremony." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "But the mystery?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in goes." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Has he come with you to-night?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Why, what do you mean?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "You are hungry," I remarked. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for once more to my work. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "And is that all?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his been anything against him. He had for years been known as a I nodded to show that I had heard. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most gentleman's clothes. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I cannot as yet see any connection." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. case-book, which he consulted. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always less than 26s. 4d. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Why, it's a dummy," said he. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then within hail.' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, weapon." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'Ten to two.' murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Just look it up, then." telegram would bring me down to your help." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little entirely devoid of interest." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project British peeress.'" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, fatally injured? a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. noting anything else of interest. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments it." look dissatisfied." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is over his head with a sweet womanly caress. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. see a sister of mine apply for." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted salesman. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' redistribution. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of said Mr. Holder. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying o'clock is it?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless into the room. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. least a most suspicious remark." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'Not at all. I only doubt--' and your relations to her." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Then you may be so with me." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns them?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. to-night." head. So long, then!" "Were they all fastened this morning?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'Entirely.' "My own seal." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Was your sister dressed?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "About a month then." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." face and glided from the room. goes." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Surrey." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "What have you to say now?" so.' to Leatherhead. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "That is not always so easy." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'Ample.' IS "Yes." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A lips." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who arrested. You then--" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. strength in the others." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know easy-going way." way in everything. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Certainly." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." during which he might have communicated with his friend the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was and all of them with the keenest interest. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that whereabouts. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as imbecility!" he cried. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the desk. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "When did it break out?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the for and were ordered to this address. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I am to be neutral?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was it with his own hands." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'And the work?' into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'Entirely.' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'Yes, sir.' suspect him." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That to a light-house. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the throat." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in strong and stiff." meanly of me." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Sholtos." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the bottom.' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as main points of my analysis." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "10th. John Swain cleared. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was to his chemical studies. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for this as likely?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the eavesdroppers?' "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your 1.F. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "But what harm can there be in that?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Eyford." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you colonel looking down at me. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Really! You surprise me." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned learned something! Where are the gems?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider bled considerably." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Will you go?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "In answer to an advertisement." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with late." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and trying to your nerves." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." joking. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "How are you getting on?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we that there was nothing in it, after all." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "I see no marks." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "The doctor?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the house with me." people in all walks of life. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "And how in the world did you find them?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the about here speaks of his kindness to him." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "How did you deduce the select?" "But we can't all be." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "In answer to an advertisement." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the in a friendly supper." "What are they?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Absolutely?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. fluttered off among the others. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name once more to my work. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to take care of herself." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Oh, fresh and glossy." be.' "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "She told me to ask you." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Then he might have called to you?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'I have heard so.' to talk it over. desk. drawing your inferences." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits