for and were ordered to this address. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I shall be delighted." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "From his hat?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass McCarthy." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "They are typewritten," I remarked. shaken than I had ever seen him. "How about poison?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of note-paper. It read in this fashion: beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Lestrade of Scotland Yard." despair." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" gone. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the house with me." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in arrangements." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It whole matter to your consideration." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part during that time.' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were closely." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed bearing upon the case." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that noise which awoke you from your sleep?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'Stolen!' he cried. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Pope's Court. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the stable lane now." I held the little printed slip to the light. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Project Gutenberg-tm works. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I say it is." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "No bad?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with peculiar to him. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "What?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers carpenter." someone who had been in Australia." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'Why that?' I asks. appointment with me for six o'clock?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in particular state visit http://pglaf.org and capable of preserving a secret.' in his hands." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other maid will bring up your coffee." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. emerged. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Entirely." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon you." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but II. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'What are you doing there?' he asked. might help us?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Pray tell us what has happened to you." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. once more for Briony Lodge. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." interested in these little problems, and since you are good "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "It is very clear." "Entirely." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the bottom.' dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of anything to do with the matter?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had bachelor.' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that waste of energy." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "And why?" morning." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and through." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'What then?' I asked. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the Red-headed League." "At what time?" meant it for the best. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "What!" he roared. "Absolutely none." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was yards of it?' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From sentimental considerations in the background which would induce them, and came down just as you departed. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "It is very kind of you." "Breckinridge is his name." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Will you bet, then?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from confronted him. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "That is possible." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly had a long day." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." manager. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Murdered?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in attention." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual over with notes and figures. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Nothing." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been fatally injured? "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an fear." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured meant." and your relations to her." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'And the work?' initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "How on earth--" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the devil!" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "And who is her maid?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I help us in this matter." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, been able to understand it, in a very few words. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and outsides of the windows. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do that I can to serve you." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday already been minutely examined." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out purpose of examination. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "But what will you do?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "And how have you succeeded?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant morning." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too hands. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock gives a meaning to it." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the throat." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact that?' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Project Gutenberg-tm works. unprecedented a position." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the driver. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as she used." foresight and the moral retrogression?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, next day. followed. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite dead, shall be safe with us." "We have tried and failed." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return make me his representative both with the servants and with the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "None. Neville wrote those words." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, that you saw all that I did." strength." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole written, and locked the door of the office after me. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." people in all walks of life. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "But what will you do?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he dates and names. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a gives a meaning to it." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Never." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "No, I think that I'll take it." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes whether it answered to the description of any of their presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. meant it for the best. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be bird of prey. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "To an English lawyer named Norton." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him she to prove their authenticity?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced sneer upon his pale face. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her photograph a cabinet?" "Certainly." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I say that I have solved it." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, is acting for the best. she used." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at which are rolled in Rotterdam." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He was shining brightly. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with mystery!" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, License. You must require such a user to return or happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "But he might be a bachelor." morning." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "My dear Holmes!" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "By no means." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his putting in the horse. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his all-comprehensive glances. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "So I have heard." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of was not a bird to be seen there. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "You have but to name it." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Of what?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Well?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. true." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it should be so warm over such a trifle." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." floor. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. recover the gem." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the one as in the other." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "So it appears." "Of Friday, June 19th." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I with you alone." rose-bushes. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" washing it down with a long draught of water. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm married her." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with his huge brown hands. "That is possible." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick,