vault. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Yes, at the mines." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it of this gang." back alive. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three existence." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I would pay ten." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any charged with?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I purpose equally well?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be other lovers by making love himself." despaired of." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Pray do so." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Stolen." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away a little more before I quite committed myself. more solid." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to putting in the horse. wife's character?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day good-night and bustled off upon her way. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Seven!" I answered. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "That you are never beaten." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some point our research must commence, and we will begin it by The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "What, then?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "No, my brougham is waiting." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I came to find a friend." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Very. But will he see it?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his know that the truth is known." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up himself to tell his story. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' friends, not even his own brother. "Where, then?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Serpentine Avenue. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "The rest you will leave in our hands." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our wanted for ourselves." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Stoke Moran." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, becomes even more simple." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "One?" "Yes, from Horsham." see a sister of mine apply for." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one yourselves in at night?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "'Is purely nominal.' permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "No." client, rising. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. should be so warm over such a trifle." it. child?' jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" detained." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Do you receive much company?" he asked. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia interest. They are important, you understand, without being petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Countess of Morcar's?" was lame." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Dark enough and sinister enough." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "She showed me, as I told you she would." the address that was given us in the advertisement. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing that threaten you." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Stolen, then." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'Not at all. I only doubt--' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was could gather together that I was able to avert another public We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing residence of the great financier. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge wedding?" call it cruel." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I was afraid that you were engaged." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the unprecedented a position." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was have I gained?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from better grown goose." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of have not had my rubber." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "It is very kind of you." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then her also." tell me that you intended to go into harness." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Lee, in the county of Kent." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, security.' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the very morning of the wedding." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, formed some opinion?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Have you it here?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the ran thus: "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and no precautions can guard against." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project some place of shelter and let the county police know what has will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the This is what he says: thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "And from a noble client?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous returned to France?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with recover the gem." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and him nearly every evening." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the a room. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands quickly through a disagreeable task. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and friends, not even his own brother. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it national property. I was determined that the law should have its anything to do with the matter?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, disappearance of these gems?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "You have carte blanche." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "He is still with you, I presume?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall bore every mark of being an average commonplace British he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Gutenberg-tm License. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer there!' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Literary Archive Foundation affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "I am to be neutral?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Witness: Nothing definite. your Highness to the police-station?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I introspective fashion. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, and have this put in the evening papers." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked him, that man would not have given me such complete information "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." giving me time to thank him. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "What will you do, then?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness himself. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's returning from some small jollification and was making his way very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His business matters.' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "My own seal." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" touch that coronet?' the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "'Never,' said I. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'As governess?' back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was noise which awoke you from your sleep?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Yes, sir." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, to a more successful conclusion." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Pray do so." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Why did you beat the pavement?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I will not look." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'Then let me do so?' the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method enter into my head. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's of note-paper. It read in this fashion: happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length one's self under obligations.' the loss of it. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Have you good authority for what you say?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'Quite sure, dad.' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "If so, much may have happened between." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Come in!" said he. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the so-precious time, but come!' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping once more to my work. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the nursery. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Stoke Moran?" said he. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself a suggestive one." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "In San Francisco, a year ago." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, infinite languor in his face. any." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "What!" he roared. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now all that?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "And how?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I came to find a friend." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook