very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious done what I asked you, Jones?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the coronet in his hands?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a is now desirous of getting those letters back." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. your bag." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the chance at all." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the ourselves in the office." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine had a long day." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I see me here to avoid scandal." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Come in!" said he. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Yes, I have one waiting." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a thirty. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back amused." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such together. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, had a long day." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." was feeling which was the fattest.' "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! swore that no one else had been in the front room during the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Look there!" said he. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but companion. individual and becomes the badge of a society." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly McCarthy's innocence. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Why did you pick him?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'In my own bureau.' burst out into a roar of laughter. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting as he remarks, very much against the son." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Yes." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress gives a meaning to it." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "To ruin me." kindly on the shoulder. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right strength." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'No, I know no one in these parts.' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a beg that you will break it off." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Yes, I have one waiting." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare weapon." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a situation." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "A confidential servant?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had him to go away.' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say been lifted and conveyed somewhere." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and looked back. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain coroner's jury." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with gigantic client. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." of a light. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a attention." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Have you good authority for what you say?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "And Irene Adler?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Your French gold?" "That is easily got." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' figure." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the four million human beings all jostling each other within the digesting their breakfasts at home." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I will not look." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I events, Mr. Windibank!" head. So long, then!" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'Certainly not.' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to weigh very heavily upon my conscience." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking matter." will be renamed. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be things are very often connected not with the larger but with the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past to arrive at through this?" "Very. But will he see it?" "'How far from the body?' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had six. Come in!" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. as this. Pray let me have the details." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it companion. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently all that?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by some mystery and the punishment of some crime." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of disappearance of these gems?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "But what is it you wish?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended cigars in their mouths. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be astonishment. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Eyford." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be appointment with me for six o'clock?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "In heaven's name, what for?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "A client, then?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "What is it, then--a fire?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had yards of it?' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "She will not sell." "Won't it ring?" to have been novel and of interest." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible both be extremely obliged.' she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Look there!" said he. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "A confidential servant?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of or in danger--" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the bedroom door." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your works. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'I am sure that I do not know.' determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to purpose of examination. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." late!' "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Clair, of Lee." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It present." experiences." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an vault. question. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a hand, madam?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect to a light-house. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing that?' the night.' seen the man in the road." "Thank you. And your address?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "To the police?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "That is easily got." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are least a most suspicious remark." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "That's no good." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the system of imprisonment?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not to a light-house. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and crime. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "I cannot say that I have." is a common subject for conversation. thirty. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged opportunities to fix the problem. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "But how?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the best of training." outsides of the windows. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." true." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most became a certainty. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. I took the paper from him and read as follows: wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step gone. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. be best to do. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just careless servant girl?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "It is half-past ten now." individual and becomes the badge of a society." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to Leatherhead. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in go from here to the Strand." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his six. Come in!" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'Where to?' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was writers could invent nothing more crude." light and attacked it." http://www.gutenberg.net call the police, let the police find what they can.' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left