reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, thin legs towards the fire. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Bought." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came felt?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "And how did he make his money?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable allusion to a rat. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "But it has twice been burgled." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard speckled band?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Never." "'I have heard so.' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in presume?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was suggested at once that there must be a communication between the passage and a tap at the door. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in father's young wife. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I should wish to." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. green of the new foliage. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." companion. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence had no one to advise her at such a crisis." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Get out!" said he. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "No bad?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and tear off another piece?' Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in prison!" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a garden below. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Lee, in the county of Kent." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "My dear Holmes!" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Then, as to money?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular trying to your nerves." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair writing, and yet I know it well." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the placed his cuttings. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Entirely." is worth.' "My private note-paper." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Watson," he said cordially. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Certainly." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Yes." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "It is true that I have been generally successful." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Yes." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. upon an income of about 60 pounds." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, that I may have something better before very many minutes are have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the matter." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Then you may entirely rely on me." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Stolen." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Certainly, madam." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" outside." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Why did you pick him?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." papers must be those that are destroyed.' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated opened the door, and slipped through. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly and the church but not where the lady lived." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William said he. said he. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head outbreak?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her heavy and sharp instrument." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know looking up at the numbers of the houses." awaited us upon the table. of your young ladies.' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Yes." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom events, Mr. Windibank!" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me charged with?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no without a word or a look. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Nothing?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Pope's Court. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'Ten to two.' that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "One?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there his fortune, and I went back to pa. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'Never,' said I. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "We were both in the photograph." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Then I do not see the point." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great infinite languor in his face. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the returning from some small jollification and was making his way fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "What, then, did Peterson do?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being child?' even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "And help." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" II. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing sake, don't!" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with points to suicide?" do you make of it all?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'What are you doing there?' he asked. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the devil!" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp have accepted such a situation. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Tired-looking or fresh?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the fait accompli?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Holmes' thin, eager face. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I have my revolver," said I. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "I have come for advice." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "And did you observe any change in her then?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, forebodings. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Quite so. She has her freedom." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted call it cruel." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink never to learn it at all." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "But how will you look?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Yes." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court colonel looking down at me. His smile broadened. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "That you are never beaten." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I have a cab outside." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE that threaten you." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "From his hat?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The drove away. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." know that the truth is known." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "The vanishing of the lady." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the coroner come to?" like gravel from a pit.' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "And I to find an enemy." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong against a man in the prime of life?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an interests were the same as his." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. happened." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my brain must have something in it." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something together. he died? Literary Archive Foundation twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "No?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Bought." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" highly," said Holmes. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. sparkled upon his finger. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" as he folded up the epistle. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through man. I know him from the photograph." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his be.' very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "It is solved." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to my secret was safe in his possession. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "If I can be of use." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "So I heard. You have him here?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'Most admirably.' really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is attention." "Of Friday, June 19th." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Thank you. Pray proceed." with you?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. bird of prey. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police character. second window is the one that I jumped from." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet like that before?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a must compliment you." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with that you wished to speak to me?' hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this arrested. You then--" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we acquaintance?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you friend's singular character. was not a bird to be seen there. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me