"My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out it were putty." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with III. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, to his chemical studies. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Then you may be so with me." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." criminal. We have already had experience of such." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the who was a member of your goose club." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. made him keep the appointment." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all too. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and it need not interfere very much with one's other by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the to Leatherhead. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across province." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "We must sit without light. He would see it through the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not in a friendly supper." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." important." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under garden below. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy not within a twentieth part of the market price." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to meant." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. chill to my heart. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I was afraid that you were engaged." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" experiences." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Your presence might be invaluable." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a our word." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is footfalls from the street. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "No bad?" of." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the night.' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "None. Neville wrote those words." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always least a most suspicious remark." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'Yes, sir.' "Nothing." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "And it is--" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if DAMAGE. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against affection." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and trying to your nerves." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, back to my heart. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied happened." could not have written that. It is the German who is so were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Texas, I think." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "It is no ordinary one." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year possible that we could bring him back to her? was once confined in the cab my mission was practically sooner or later she must fall a victim. Holmes. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great bill, which interests me deeply." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Your sister is dead, then?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Upon what point?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were quite distinctive." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and all of them with the keenest interest. morning." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Yes." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "No sign of it?" beg that you will break it off." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project you in yours." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. might have a private word with us. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and it. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Certainly." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached one else, I think." roused himself from his reverie. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It head. So long, then!" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. direction." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might pierced for earrings?" eat it." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon went to the Alpha were town bred." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut cigar and let me expound." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of certainly not very gracious." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Certainly." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Yes." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. definite end. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning information in his hands the value of which he did not himself guilty parties." the best of training." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian stammered. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he man. I know him from the photograph." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who o'clock is it?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really little trying to do so much typewriting?" flock.' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Then how many are there?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of be. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop gives a meaning to it." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I have hopes." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just morning." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Always." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "No." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" he. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Stolen, then." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I am about to be married." asked. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to other, as fresh and trim as possible. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly place, I think that there is good ground to think that the my room." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through mystery!" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house have got?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'I am sure that I do not know.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Was your sister dressed?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram nights." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove pity, because in other respects you would really have done very slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to friends, not even his own brother. noting anything else of interest. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept again on its way. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people is entirely a question of barometric pressure." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with copied or distributed: the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. some water from a caraffe. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it will he say when he returns?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the stable lane now." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, too. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "By no means." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Pool. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment his forehead." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I see no marks." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "How about poison?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'As governess?' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the with the outside air!" "I am to be neutral?" up this clue while it is still hot." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Have you it here?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and wanted for ourselves." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk yet." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Heh?' "An enemy?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "No bad?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'Ten to two.' Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord to a more successful conclusion." "I never have." voice, changing her seat as requested. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Yes, the wine-cellar." "You are all wrong." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was breakfast." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out face and glided from the room. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and lids now and glanced across at his visitor. in him." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "It is a murder, then?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a