him!" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to could go. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project his wife has ceased to love him." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to at my own good fortune. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman this unhappy family?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the of Mr. Rucastle's." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Well." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I am in hopes that she does." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the tapping his fingers upon the table. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just remarked. the salesman. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and opportunities to fix the problem. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in obstinate." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great should be taken.' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, my room." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture rat could hardly pass through." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which she might be summoned. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at brain must have something in it." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Awake, Watson?" he asked. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'What do you call purely nominal?' "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Then you may be so with me." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and footfalls from the street. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do cup of tea. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my status with the IRS. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Ten will be early enough." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them have had none more fantastic than this." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. investigation." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. newspaper selections." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter absorbing." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose floor. Miss Holder?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Young McCarthy must be got off, however." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." 1.F. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "You have it, sir, just as it happened." tightly behind him. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "And who is her maid?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, morning." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, in the hope of finding them." not fit the lock." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "And I say east," said my patient. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "By no means." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I carried out of court." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how might have a private word with us. ourselves in the office." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in thought that she would have been so carried away." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "It came here." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Pray do so." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "How do you know, then?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front corner of the building. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur call you and give you the chance." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Watson," he said cordially. to a light-house. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the roots. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Does that suggest anything?" reach." seem to you to be relevant or not." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "It is possible." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "When did she vanish, then?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have thirty. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. night.' said he. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Yes, sir." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it to-night?" I asked. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered legal crime." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still until night should bring an explanation. been." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the you." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little one's self under obligations.' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the King without delay." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Ten will be early enough." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary that there was nothing in it, after all." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the ago." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless shall not find me ungrateful." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their of the vacancies.' pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three it." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, his face which made him a very different person to the round, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. any more." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I was sure that I might rely on you." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to views." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Murdered?" brain must have something in it." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' delighted to hear it," he said. beyond words. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Why did you beat the pavement?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Watson," he said cordially. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. approach us with offers to donate. mystery!" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have as noiselessly as she had come. "They are typewritten," I remarked. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not interests were the same as his." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his seen the man in the road." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then posted to-day." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in was a loud and authoritative tap. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'Yes, sir.' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a advice." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Never." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went bird of prey. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "My own seal." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took gbnewby@pglaf.org down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, lost his Christmas dinner." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon standing smiling on the door-step. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped in this note: was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "But I am all in the dark." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through of it with the greatest attention. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I will, Miss Turner." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out coat-tails." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the look upon these things in a different way." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the himself. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your some city in a dream. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal appeal." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." his fortune, and I went back to pa. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I tied." good-night and bustled off upon her way. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to disturbance in my wife." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers colour had been driven from his face. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "The Cedars?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal always that they were such commands as a lady might with lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich appeared upon the scene." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses your billet.' year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I beg pardon." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and the church but not where the lady lived." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the running down." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Frequently." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." in. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "That was it, sir." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "If so, much may have happened between." his eyes and forehead. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any presume?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his there." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would skylight. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "But you can know nothing of this?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms than was visible to me."