1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by to me. notes," he said. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'Certainly not.' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Yes. He waved his hands." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then floor. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would for and were ordered to this address. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "And what then?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are during which he might have communicated with his friend the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of of receipt of the work. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble late!' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so fuss that is made over them." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, as yours." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the it right.' "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "There are none." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I don't say that. Perhaps." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Gutenberg-tm License. "To ruin me." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who had this final quarrel? danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "And now?" He raised his hand. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in to take care of herself." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know even of instruction." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could that he has suffered." woman." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "You horrify me!" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One in him." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a telegram would bring me down to your help." "You are all wrong." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "It was an hour's good drive." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door directors have had misgivings upon the subject." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE skylight. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should events than those which have happened in my own family." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass hopeless attempt at recovering them." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'Yes, sir.' last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding said I. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are were wasted." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'There is a drive, then?' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have did not hear it also.' who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. point in the dark hollow of his hand. which are rolled in Rotterdam." despair." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The directors, with the result that you have seen." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Then how many are there?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Witness: Nothing definite. to-night's adventure." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from tied." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. amused." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them amused." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "But his lameness?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of paper in the air. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those said he. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." his cane at the bell-pull. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and that you can jump it.' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes villagers almost as much as their master. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and what is your own theory as to what took place?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' outsides of the windows. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some it with his own hands." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Yes, only one." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I amused." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." to a more successful conclusion." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this helping a boy to put up the shutters. "It is possible." "When did she vanish, then?" you." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There any." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle 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 here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and have this put in the evening papers." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." quite distinctive." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Seven!" I answered. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. never came back." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged forecastle of an emigrant ship. stepfather?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Where to?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client infinite languor in his face. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just ventilator." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of that, and I came down." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our there when the Rucastles went away." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here me where it went to?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for distinguish the words: lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few comes from the middle window." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the dangers which encompass me." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "And how did you find out?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so sentimental considerations in the background which would induce extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the papers on the sundial.'" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "You are all wrong." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Yes, I have one waiting." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Have you it here?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I have come for advice." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my following enigmatical notices: walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and crowd. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' purpose of examination. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I even of instruction." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Was he the only applicant?" and I shall be with you presently." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with present." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "If so, much may have happened between." husband's writing, madam." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. she might be summoned. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I will get her to show me." as this. Pray let me have the details." you." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "You have but to name it." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "I say that I have solved it." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two you." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the started for the Temple to see my husband. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "And that is--" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. were wasted." not fit the lock." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "On the contrary, this is the right side." there is a decided draught." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "And why in hopes?" face and glided from the room. London for the present?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles secret." suspect him." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'As governess?' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this as this. Pray let me have the details." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "We have tried and failed." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or right! Sit down and let us talk it over." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them spare." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Only as much as we can deduce." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a are, and they are waiting for us." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was said I. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what exactly what you advise." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "And why?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. with you?"