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tell them apart.' although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town are, I think, all that we need." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "That was it, sir." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for help us in this matter." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, upon a handsome competence. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at night.' said he. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "How long did she speak to this Alice?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and with the outside air!" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Proceed, then." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we own family. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the became a certainty. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the of his shoulders. showing my impatience. believe that I should never have any practice at all. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss bedroom door." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the words came to my lips. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Yes, sir." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his may never be exposed to such a temptation." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at hour?' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Witness: It was. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a companion. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its bird of prey. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the once more to my work. "I am about to be married." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not your co-operation." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those of a light. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "And the cigar-holder?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down bird I ate is country bred." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I had this final quarrel? difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Nothing?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "An enemy?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Henry Baker is a member." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you you do it in twenty minutes!' as he remarks, very much against the son." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is posted to-day." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving wedding?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "He said that you could solve anything." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that if she died from some sudden fright." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the dangers which encompass me." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to individual and becomes the badge of a society." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was jewels which you have stolen?' is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may little adventures." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special since then to throw any light upon what became of him." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the enough to aid us in our search." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife views." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen room?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a prepare for the new role I have to play." "By all means." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was that I can to serve you." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one way in everything. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our trifles." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one said Mr. Holder. were new raised from a basin. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple was already answered. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, retorted upon me, and I on you." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very which we had just quitted. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my ways of our fellow-men." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Yes?" Sholtos." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "That's no good." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow with you?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Yes?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I am following you closely," I answered. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "No legal papers or certificates?" "I am sure." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "But he might be a bachelor." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my awkward doing business with an alias." amused." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the Assizes." bachelor.' be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." McCarthy's innocence. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. even of instruction." think you a quite exceptional woman." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for awkward doing business with an alias." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw other means.' guilty parties." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Was there a secret marriage?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Dirty?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and put his glass in his pocket. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I cannot think." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind presume?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are lamp. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Not particularly." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten carpenter." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "How on earth--" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "No." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Very. But will he see it?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, even so self-evident a thing as that." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "On Monday." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which gone before you can get him to hospital." up this clue while it is still hot." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "That was it, sir." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. read it out to me." way in everything. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the night.' Foundation my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face like gravel from a pit.' "I am sure." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has asked. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." relief. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and to me. peculiar to him. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was them?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Seven!" I answered. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "No." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." call you and give you the chance." on re-entering her father's house?" digesting their breakfasts at home." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank acted in my house last night?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "'There is a drive, then?' what these perils are?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and put his glass in his pocket. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "You are certainly joking, Holmes." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "My private note-paper." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and with some details as to your case." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his hurried away. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Then the page we have seen--" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an one of the states of the Union." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to writer." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last chair. with her." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Who was the criminal, then?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "I have solved it." "You horrify me." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered less than 26s. 4d. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to may never be exposed to such a temptation." to have that photograph." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Who by?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would was it brought him the coronet? "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the driver. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, my little problems." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss hereditary King of Bohemia." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "The Cedars?"