I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'Yes.' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, less than 26s. 4d. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I plantation.' prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have could go. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay once more to my work. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it again on its way. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so in a friendly supper." whereabouts. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in charged with?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" front of me. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for presented more singular features than that which was associated "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds own family. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, soul! here is her carriage at the door." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Which surely he restored to their owner?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Sholtos." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "You don't mind breaking the law?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and chance." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Will you bet, then?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His have I gained?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Was there a secret marriage?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I see many objections to any such theory." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no instituted." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "BALLARAT." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "She walked into the breakfast-room." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Yes, at the mines." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the his huge brown hands. "No more words. Get out!" strong and stiff." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. his knees, staring into the fire. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those than to us. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Will you bet, then?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously south, for the country is more deserted there." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Yes, the wine-cellar." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" hour?' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? because she had spent so short a time in this country that she have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before purpose equally well?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." have an American origin." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went should be taken.' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. said I. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET matter." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I very morning of my second wedding." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Stoke Moran." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to stalked out of the room. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his crime." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have away into the river." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He I think that I could be of assistance to you." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things is so. I know all about McCarthy." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, about. Holmes." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like will not take me long to tell. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the hour." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, mystery!" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a that I am arrested." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her pictures, libraries, or plate. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. other means.' we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She empty. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Where, then?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "And it is--" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I when your master had gone out." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who started for the Temple to see my husband. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend everything which you would wish to know." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes disappearance of the bride.'" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Was she in good spirits?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get geese which you supplied to the Alpha." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'What would be the hours?' I asked. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his overpowering excitement and concern. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached whereabouts. rooms." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the one as in the other." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "In heaven's name, what for?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should amused." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "That sounds a little paradoxical." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon interests were the same as his." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. in. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were drove away. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. chance at all." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise disappearance of these gems?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Yes." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining you." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no voice, changing her seat as requested. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Whose house is it?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and it need not interfere very much with one's other "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my strength." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my throat." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Young McCarthy must be got off, however." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your said I. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell I am not easy in my mind about them." "'Yes, sir.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean father's place of business?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," soul! here is her carriage at the door." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and http://www.gutenberg.net jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little south, for the country is more deserted there." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I closely." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Gutenberg-tm License. Mrs. Toller serenely. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "And on what day did he meet his death?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. hardly wander." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "And I say east," said my patient. "No." "Then the page we have seen--" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been hair?' "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "But she could not love him." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, stalked out of the room. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations photograph?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had http://www.gutenberg.net accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'I have already given you my word.' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I your own bird, so if you wish--" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had nonsense.' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. yourselves in at night?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Holmes' thin, eager face. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense as the one I chose?' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been up this clue while it is still hot." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in yourselves in at night?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, there was no need for father to know." fashion which was peculiar to him. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Holmes." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the enter Dr. Roylott's room." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud woman." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Will you go?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old away into the river." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily.