convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "If so, much may have happened between." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold few hundred pounds.' "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid power." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On or in danger--" would apply.' has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly other means.' you do it in twenty minutes!' "I will do it." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the stable lane now." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that against a man in the prime of life?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some forecastle of an emigrant ship. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Yes, the wine-cellar." Henry Baker is a member." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute that there was nothing in it, after all." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he followed. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to shall use the carriage to-night." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum do." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Never.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting new acquaintance to Baker Street. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification him to be an active member of the medical profession." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Dirty?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to a more successful conclusion." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew ordinary clothes on?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his maid will bring up your coffee." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and extraordinary contortions. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the one's self under obligations.' though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the date of his supposed suicide." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish conceal it?" hurried by. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Not social, then?" who was a member of your goose club." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I am all attention, madam." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' leave you to your papers for a little." that "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in fattened it expressly for you.' "Absolutely none." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when me have 200 pounds?' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "No legal papers or certificates?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my use an arc-and-compass breastpin." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "You think so, too?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm one else, I think." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "What office?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about From what you have told me I think that it is possible that nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. deduce something from that?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "When did it break out?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted cup of tea. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and have I gained?" manager. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "But who is he?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She crackling voice. Stoke Moran." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, DAMAGE. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Young McCarthy must be got off, however." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to shoulder; "he's all right." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, morning." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "And sit in the dark?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "And for present expenses?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion time." "Where did he live, then?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Awake, Watson?" he asked. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was was shining brightly. "Ha! you find it so?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, me have 200 pounds?' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If disappearance of the bride.'" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better strong reason behind." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "And it is--" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "It looks newer than the other things?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything affair. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by had a long day." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'What then?' I asked. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss that?' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other forbidden door. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not unprofitable." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I was certainly surprised to find you there." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Was your sister dressed?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I see many objections to any such theory." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" retorted upon me, and I on you." on re-entering her father's house?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of when you have done it." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that morning." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house nothing with him." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it throat." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the it with his own hands." of it with the greatest attention. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." would then never go into court at all." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to 1.E.9. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "You have carte blanche." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On about here speaks of his kindness to him." delirious. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in both be extremely obliged.' the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, dates and names. and capable of preserving a secret.' "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or business at Coburg Square is serious." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building thirty. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is lumber-room." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, may never be exposed to such a temptation." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Eh? What was that?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "By no means." "No bad?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the salesman. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that rose-bushes. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads taking in every detail of the apartment. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'Certainly not. But why?' there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Very murderous indeed." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, matter over." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." results." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of investigation." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Who by?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as What do you deduce from it?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side For additional contact information: rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I will get her to show me." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Mrs. Toller serenely. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "I came to find a friend." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "No." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "We must have a cab." bearing upon the case." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Ah!" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles empty. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and man. I know him from the photograph." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof matter." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I my former friend and companion. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I will not look." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and figure." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife tear off another piece?' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I shall be delighted." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I see many objections to any such theory." and capable of preserving a secret.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "It's nothing of the kind." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "And how in the world did you find them?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the