if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "You horrify me." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle breakfast." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with to a more successful conclusion." to tell." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual present strange and interesting features that it is no easy I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a written, and locked the door of the office after me. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking have an American origin." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I don't say that. Perhaps." "What then?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At II. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a business." invisible to me," I remarked. status with the IRS. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would we went to search for him, face downward in a little reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw is acting for the best. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little looking up at the numbers of the houses." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered have had none more fantastic than this." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Sutherland?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Why, what do you mean?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. had this final quarrel? "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear right! Sit down and let us talk it over." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied would then never go into court at all." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the meant." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" had formerly been in part my own. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Witness: It was. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a matters immensely." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Yes." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am one's self under obligations.' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "One?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Yes?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point lips." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'What then?' I asked. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Perhaps I have." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom that Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "What will you say?" really the only notable feature about the thing." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had a room. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the fashion which was peculiar to him. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most round and wave him away like that.' long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'Where could I find him?' you in your example." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "But I am all in the dark." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "And did you observe any change in her then?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Yes, but only for you and me." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." best detective that ever lived. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the Friday. Was it to be in church?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "He said too much." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "But to whom?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Then what has happened to him?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "So I have heard." "Witness: I must still refuse. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "'I have heard so.' with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "The Cedars?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, with the outside air!" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the breakfast?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one him nearly every evening." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "None." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy never came back." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Frequently." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason You want to know what became of those geese?" them, and came down just as you departed. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" attention." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had your own bird, so if you wish--" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Where is it, then?" this poor creature." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began his forehead." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" better in every way that they should make their position a little perplexity from it to my illustrious client. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Yes, they were peculiar boots." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "They are typewritten," I remarked. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Thank you. And your address?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in his huge brown hands. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from with frightened eyes at his accuser. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an business?" and wait." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It copied or distributed: nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Come in!" said he. "Then I do not see the point." to me. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Yes." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "What shall I do?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own said I. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just goes." "Yes." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. there when the Rucastles went away." Sutherland. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "ARAT," I read. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the questionable one." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and test if we have an answer to our advertisement." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "But his lameness?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on introspective fashion. dear old homesteads?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The trifles." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'Why that?' I asks. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to head. So long, then!" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Texas, I think." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Literary Archive Foundation It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Cross for the Continent." Where does the thing come from?' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. note?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the salesman. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "That is also quite modern," said the lady. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I don't believe it." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other ready to-morrow?' hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." better in every way that they should make their position a little "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, own family. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream beg that you will break it off." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand points to suicide?" entirely devoid of interest." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Then I shall certainly come." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not whatever might befall. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Yes." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "But not more so than I to find you." "Texas, I think." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "How about poison?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "And how in the world did you find them?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "It is very kind of you." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its It may be so in this case, also." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. character. This is what he says: France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Have you good authority for what you say?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn putting in the horse. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San reach." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Have you her photograph?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but be there in time for your coming." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Not I." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Could he throw no light?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been