understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a was not a bird to be seen there. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to I was concerned in it." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria girl said." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he You want to know what became of those geese?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We asked. "No more words. Get out!" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Yes, the wine-cellar." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and to tell." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." I held the little printed slip to the light. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms will he say when he returns?" His name is Francis Prosper." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Precisely." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "It is his hat." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several foot. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. redistribution. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to there!' "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from more solid." "And you don't know his address?" me. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Certainly, madam." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing corner of the building. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in you want, then?' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, case-book, which he consulted. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so round and wave him away like that.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been fait accompli?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; of his shoulders. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." together. "And who is her maid?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "If I can be of use." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. cigars in the box." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall depend upon my doing so.' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal about here speaks of his kindness to him." here and I will read it to you: member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Why, it's a dummy," said he. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with photograph a cabinet?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to how narrow had been my escape. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said happened." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and looked back. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Yes." "He said that you could solve anything." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I married her." "Quite so." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I official police." think, you have already met." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Have you good authority for what you say?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "I would pay ten." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "By no means." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I power." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Was she in good spirits?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Yes, certainly." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A it." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand point our research must commence, and we will begin it by knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Where to?" you." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "That is not always so easy." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and to arrive at through this?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "No, my brougham is waiting." of the way of danger. dates and names. you." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "In answer to an advertisement." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the nursery. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few with some details as to your case." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was held up the lantern and gazed about him. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the iron safe, which he closed upon it. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. least a most suspicious remark." "It is possible." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you thin, with a long, sharp nose?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Watson," he said cordially. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Oh, fresh and glossy." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across in this way: when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out fishes. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with returned to France?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is to his chemical studies. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but said he. "Yes, that is the Crown." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" nice household for a young lady." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Dr. Gregory B. Newby against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for whether it answered to the description of any of their "They are typewritten," I remarked. have got?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "10th. John Swain cleared. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I have solved it." for and were ordered to this address. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Because he was handy and would come cheap." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, entirely devoid of interest." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it 1.F. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was my friend's incisive reasoning. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the made him keep the appointment." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back outbreak?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very foresight and the moral retrogression?" him and tried to hold him back. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Ah!" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Only as much as we can deduce." and no precautions can guard against." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." morning." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 all that?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Not yet." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to bare slabs of marble. the best of training." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Pool. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I was mad--insane." placed his cuttings. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they she might be summoned. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "You know me, then?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and files of the old papers, following the future career of every work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here again on its way. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid behind me. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "She told me to ask you." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in stalked out of the room. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "And when will you call?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Precisely." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every presume?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced what these perils are?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "He is still with you, I presume?" will be renamed. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "So I have heard." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "But how?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I to change my dress. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for weigh very heavily upon my conscience." touch that coronet?' of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still feature." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I flock.' will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most do.' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those she might be summoned. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "But he might be a bachelor." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'How far from the body?' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, learned something! Where are the gems?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles