comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a charged with?" comes from the middle window." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "What! Had he lost his wife?" said I. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From had this final quarrel? existence." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and shaken than I had ever seen him. writer." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "The rest you will leave in our hands." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch it right.' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me interests were the same as his." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Thank you. Pray proceed." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear way in." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, hour." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "What then?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my woman who has had her own way to make in the world. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a to-night?' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "No." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. shoulder; "he's all right." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right salesman. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." trying to your nerves." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing suddenly upon us." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "And when will you call?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were used to be." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Yes, it would be as well." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" him!" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a served to weaken the effect. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "It certainly sounds feasible." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Pray do so." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "That is not always so easy." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever locked. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't of receipt of the work. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "And the cigar-holder?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey you in yours." "You don't mind breaking the law?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your The note was undated, and without either signature or address. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and about. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Pray do so." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Why, it's a dummy," said he. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated do." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you salesman. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "It is possible." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect his eyes and forehead. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" you." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "And when will you call?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "The Coroner: What do you mean? a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with than to us. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Where is it, then?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "I say that I have solved it." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Look there!" said he. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he despaired of." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See you in yours." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Where, then?" "Not social, then?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. been able to understand it, in a very few words. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad giving me time to thank him. politicians who had been sent down from the North. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed young Openshaw's." guilty parties." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco about. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to chill to my heart. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'Certainly not.' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I think that it is very probable." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was distinguish the words: "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in ordinary clothes on?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "One of his hands." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, this Miss Turner." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the stones. future lives." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "He disappeared so suddenly." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'How far from the body?' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a a good hundred miles off by now." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed just ask you whether you had heard it.' on in his house." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and happened." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to all-comprehensive glances. a suggestive one." "But of what society?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the like that before?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old hands. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Then you may be so with me." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out weary and pale-looking. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the window, rose as we entered. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over lids now and glanced across at his visitor. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very tightly behind him. yards of it?' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I corner of the building. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Does that suggest anything?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am speckled band?" "I think that it is very probable." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, client, rising. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "He is dead," cried several voices. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the in one or two places in England?' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "And I to find an enemy." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Game for a morning drive?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "You think so, too?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get ran thus: "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "How on earth--" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "It's nothing of the kind." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who that "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Lestrade of Scotland Yard." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty breakfast?" villagers almost as much as their master. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of his cane at the bell-pull. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the Red-headed League." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we eavesdroppers?' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Yes?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked when you have done it." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. of." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I shall be delighted." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "No." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the prepare for the new role I have to play." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "You horrify me!" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the business in the City. She little knew what. flock.' "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." call the police, let the police find what they can.' the warnings." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am