"'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold of note-paper. It read in this fashion: repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right seen the man in the road." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "What have you to say now?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the charged with?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, My friend smiled. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to your bag." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Yes, it was twisted." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," to his chemical studies. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely During two years I have had three consultations and one small somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." had picked up in the wood. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her very old mansion. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I one of them." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during I approached. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was their singular warning or token before them when starting upon jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the house with me." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be kindly on the shoulder. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now enter Dr. Roylott's room." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. never will be, entirely cleared up. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I think that it is very probable." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. have been better. It is all right." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his your troubles." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom second window is the one that I jumped from." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to British peeress.'" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I assure you that I am in your hands." remarked. copied or distributed: the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "My Mary? Impossible!" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the Assizes." may never be exposed to such a temptation." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our hair?' "Oh, yes, easily." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Your presence might be invaluable." Sholtos." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Murdered?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "But not more so than I to find you." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still fait accompli?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'Where to?' not, dad?" she asked. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter His smile broadened. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that as the one I chose?' breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "It is possible." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction way in." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. II. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. some city in a dream. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "You have a clue?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "What do you make of that, Watson?" standing smiling on the door-step. have an American origin." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was been deceived." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and you understand?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet or other trace. But how on earth--" "Did you become engaged then?" "To ruin me." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I answered that I had not. fatally injured? that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger was feeling which was the fattest.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a down. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Always." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a prisoner's face. "And the cigar-holder?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "But it has twice been burgled." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "I promise," said Holmes. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his shadow pass over his face as I spoke. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the people in all walks of life. outbreak?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong signal between you and your father? a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." from the brougham. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not dear old homesteads?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you charged with?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and effective." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Thank you. Pray proceed." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I think that it is very probable." to his chemical studies. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater to affect your life." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "My private note-paper." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered stalked out of the room. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, answer." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day together. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was but preventing her from injuring another. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "What do you make of that, Watson?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and against a man in the prime of life?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the roots. "Come in!" said Holmes. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of his shoulders. "And the cigar-holder?" to me. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, electronic works decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "You forget that I know nothing about it." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "On Monday." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the is worth.' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white his grey eyes. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or to where he stood hid behind the curtain. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a But Holmes shook his head gravely. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small have I gained?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Where, then?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with bird I ate is country bred." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the showing my impatience. "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "At half-wages, in fact." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows October 9, 1890. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know province." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "No, finished." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "But she will refuse." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Yes, sir." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously felt?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. point in the dark hollow of his hand. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Nothing." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face past. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. fluttered off among the others. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "But how did you gain them?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." what is your own theory as to what took place?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'What then?' I asked. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the I held the little printed slip to the light. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and quickly through a disagreeable task. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which to-night?" I asked. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of shall not find me ungrateful." his huge brown hands. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager speckled band?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Henry Baker is a member." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Nor running a chance of arrest?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert note?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, man. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with for and were ordered to this address. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it own family. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we throat." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "I say it is." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us and inquire as to the address." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief events, Mr. Windibank!" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely case-book, which he consulted. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there character. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable tension within him. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "It was an hour's good drive." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I am all attention, madam." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "And why?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of character. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which you found me to-night--and running through the front room she before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I companion. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the matter." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means examine." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more said he. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching train.' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked I nodded again. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was was lame." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Oh, yes, easily." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most written, and locked the door of the office after me.