"I cannot say that I have." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining had this final quarrel? some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Witness: Nothing definite. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast constraint." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I have solved it." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted of." "He slept on the premises." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think allusion to a rat. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you of." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing DISSOLVED. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "And you can do nothing until then?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and up this clue while it is still hot." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't never will be, entirely cleared up. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes into the bag, and made for the door. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee with the outside air!" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "It may not come to that," said Holmes. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate prisoner's face. "He said too much." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Where does the thing come from?' Eyford." "The Coroner: What do you mean? and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your dates and names. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous bearing upon the case." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing bled considerably." "But your client--" "By train from Waterloo." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Awake, Watson?" he asked. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "And who is her maid?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any of the one which your family is now devouring." affair. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It green of the new foliage. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Miss Holder?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "What have you to say now?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, all?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "No, my brougham is waiting." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round to take care of herself." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was rat could hardly pass through." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. was not a bird to be seen there. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so was lame." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband examine." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Mary, has deserted me." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat your Highness to the police-station?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "'Never.' keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. own family. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him system of imprisonment?" gentleman's clothes. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and coat-tails." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Yes, all." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small acquaintance?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Yes." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I important." what is your own theory as to what took place?" and a shock of very red hair. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing overpowering excitement and concern. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in you?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Precisely." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "It is solved." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet awkward doing business with an alias." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I interest. They are important, you understand, without being gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' shall not find me ungrateful." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken minor matters until to-morrow." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and to-night?' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Who by?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "You horrify me." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Heh?' eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. it right.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Entirely." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I am all attention, madam." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and for the market.' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his coat-tails." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to strong reason behind." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your dead, shall be safe with us." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "We were both in the photograph." said he at last. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that secret." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his a room. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "And Miss Sutherland?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more to me. room. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King spark where all is dark to me." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Henry Baker is a member." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society row." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." most interesting one." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been http://www.gutenberg.net "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. tightly behind him. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the driver. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that in him." to tell." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened for securing the situation." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Then I am your man." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work indeed which he could not unravel. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so murdered man." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and hour." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was new duties?' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I shall most certainly do so." when your master had gone out." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can you do it in twenty minutes!' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Did your wife hear all this?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were wedding?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Very. But will he see it?" formed some opinion?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He handed it to him. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "You horrify me." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me it were putty." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of invisible to me," I remarked. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "And why in hopes?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is and no precautions can guard against." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to never to learn it at all." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened obstinate." sparkled upon his finger. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" narrative." if I call to-morrow?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes me where it went to?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the to-night?" I asked. with some details as to your case." stepfather?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those would apply.' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from is four-and-twenty." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Where is it, then?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window gone. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can wanted for ourselves." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the and effective." out." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where and looked back. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'Never,' said I. morning." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. it. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "She showed me, as I told you she would." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." will not take me long to tell. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Street. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. will be renamed. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Yes." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little forecastle of an emigrant ship. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton voice. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the stable lane now." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to