however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the roots. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one individual and becomes the badge of a society." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." thirty. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Heh?' sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Doctor, of the paper and the date." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of address. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the inquest, and which are worth considering." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the opened the door, and slipped through. sufficient punishment." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Where to?' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "What!" he roared. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Mrs. Toller serenely. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the to take care of herself." three fields round his house, and there he would take his of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Which are?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the matter." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will His name is Francis Prosper." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. copied or distributed: implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the conceal it?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Perfectly so." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me McCarthy." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in depend upon my doing so.' "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "How did you trace it, then?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary followed. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I cannot tell." feature." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Which are?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'In my own bureau.' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all upon a handsome competence. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger existence." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that an introduction to him?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. as this. Pray let me have the details." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'What, the red-headed man?' distinguish the words: o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." fear." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "What do you mean?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine wall." main points of my analysis." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you your room." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the best of training." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Will you bet, then?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles unprofitable." Dr. Gregory B. Newby struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "How about poison?" in the port of London." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady corner of the building. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that money should be paid at once.' shall use the carriage to-night." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and inquire as to the address." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Mary, has deserted me." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and papers on the sundial.'" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making lumber-room." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'And what salary do you ask?' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "But his left-handedness." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached I approached. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into writing, and yet I know it well." "And now?" I asked. "This concluded the examination of the witness." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Bought." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Yes?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is empty. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "No more words. Get out!" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'Yes.' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the digesting their breakfasts at home." For additional contact information: definite end. "He might." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "My private note-paper." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Chief Executive and Director your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "And leave your case unfinished?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where of note-paper. It read in this fashion: music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you soul! here is her carriage at the door." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest back into the street. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the coronet in his hands?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always carriage. It was a chestnut." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. appeared upon the scene." You want to know what became of those geese?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank strength of mind to control. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the ceiling. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Just look it up, then." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a 11:15.' It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you nonsense.' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Why did you pick him?" more terrible than the truth. humiliation." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running question. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook disappearance of these gems?" to-morrow." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this strength in the others." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a daring than any effort of the imagination." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "My dear Holmes!" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** definite end. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a paper in the air. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar The events in question occurred in the early days of my solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to of the one which your family is now devouring." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Your presence might be invaluable." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Where, then, is my wife?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "The gentleman I describe." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." to Leatherhead. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a of his shoulders. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid at my remark. "Precisely." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward floor. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." photograph?" Eyford." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Indeed! Whose, then?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue walking." "When did it break out?" visitors." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to security.' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in will take you up to see the machine.' the morning and make my own way in the world.' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the security.' "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are status with the IRS. Eyford at 11:15.' he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from which our visitor detailed to us. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side forbidden door. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door prison!" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the would then never go into court at all." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'You cannot say what it was?' old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Yes." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my some place of shelter and let the county police know what has feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we troubles have been weighing upon his mind. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly over with notes and figures. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four But Holmes shook his head gravely. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "He disappeared so suddenly." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have I am not easy in my mind about them." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four notes," he said. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my likely to be some crony of the landlady's." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, points to suicide?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an enough to aid us in our search." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of photograph a cabinet?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Well, some hundreds of times." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each brain must have something in it." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has II. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Have you her photograph?" "You know me, then?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but of your young ladies.' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and prosperity to your house. Good-night."