What do you deduce from it?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "No good news?" me have 200 pounds?' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "No, but the enclosure is." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Yes. He waved his hands." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in occupations.' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that that you wished to speak to me?' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Not particularly." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she me." sound at heart." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Then the page we have seen--" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that soul! here is her carriage at the door." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The question you as to those details which seem to me to be most be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the DISSOLVED. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there father's place of business?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Tired-looking or fresh?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. than was visible to me." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, married her." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing sneer upon his pale face. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham thought that she would have been so carried away." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I shall most certainly do so." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from them?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon side. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and in this way: "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried I was concerned in it." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "At the wedding breakfast." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the carriage. It was a chestnut." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the really the only notable feature about the thing." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." read it out to me." least a fellow-countryman. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice experiences." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," question. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have of this gang." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "That is unusual in a young girl." "It is solved." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'And the work?' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "You have but to name it." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Tired-looking or fresh?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "A call for help, you thought?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Henry Baker is a member." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and laid it on the table. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "One of the highest in England." "No legal papers or certificates?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was three fields round his house, and there he would take his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "That is not always so easy." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those indiscretion." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "About a month then." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and once more for Briony Lodge. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other matter over." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you I nodded to show that I had heard. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other is now desirous of getting those letters back." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Yes. He waved his hands." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the joking. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'Oh, no.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they out." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "What! Had he lost his wife?" was a lad." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet telegram would bring me down to your help." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes of." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "How often?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "How are you getting on?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "What, then?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it depend upon my doing so.' delirious. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be his forehead." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to respectable self." "Your French gold?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and and the church but not where the lady lived." ready to-morrow?' one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit chambers. the tragedy. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was could gather together that I was able to avert another public hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in showing my impatience. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "You know me, then?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag of them has the shutters up.' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "It's nothing of the kind." during that time.' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman floor. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and you understand?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" interests were the same as his." your billet.' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "You are certainly joking, Holmes." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." train.' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be hour?' table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all already been minutely examined." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "You think so, too?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "It came here." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no to me. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He back alive. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. congratulate you again." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the very old mansion. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a The King stared at him in amazement. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly minor matters until to-morrow." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "9th. McCauley cleared. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. enter into my head. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and house for five minutes.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, system of imprisonment?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Yes, sir." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some up this clue while it is still hot." entirely lost his self-respect." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." village inn over there?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman obstinate." "Not yet." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Farm upon the left." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he shall use the carriage to-night." so.' glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad upon the sideboard." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the salesman. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Have you her photograph?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "And what then?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Look there!" said he. constraint." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about will not take me long to tell. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Game for a morning drive?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is You can understand that this register and diary may implicate naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there something of him before." "'I have heard so.' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which society." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply anything to a woman, for she would have her way." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "What can it mean?" I gasped. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; used to be." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Sutherland?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as tension within him. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "It's nothing of the kind." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I will get her to show me." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "May I see it?" himself. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Yes, I have one waiting." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are upon the sideboard." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "The King of Scandinavia." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I was mad--insane." peculiar to him. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and looked back. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, prison!" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her noise which awoke you from your sleep?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Why? What do you mean?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine London for the present?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and