"Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "It is a murder, then?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true there is a decided draught." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot confronted him. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to works. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Yes, he did." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "A call for help, you thought?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "And Miss Sutherland?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's has little to do with my story." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which on re-entering her father's house?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "But what harm can there be in that?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My shag which I had seen upon the previous night. sneer upon his pale face. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "He is dead," cried several voices. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences October 9, 1890. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a over part of the map. "What do you read?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with I shall communicate with you." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Upon what point?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change out of this horrible affair." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's late!' life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Thank you. And your address?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at some place of shelter and let the county police know what has prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have to me. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel minor matters until to-morrow." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Pray continue your narrative." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not in the port of London." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." promised to bring home. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace hour?' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll case before our client came into the room." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of fattened it expressly for you.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Entirely." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the date of his supposed suicide." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. over here." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms appeared upon the scene." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be made his money." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I promise," said Holmes. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave questioning and rather startled gaze. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, sofa. This way, please!" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes in your London, you will know that the office of the company is touch that coronet?' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Doctor, of the paper and the date." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a he died? "Yes." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man like that before?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Doctor, of the paper and the date." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass of a light. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." and all of them with the keenest interest. "In answer to an advertisement." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And in the port of London." Cross for the Continent." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was because she had spent so short a time in this country that she doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house call for it in person on Monday morning.' warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand existence." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were a monotonous occupation." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Not yet." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Whose house is it?" "He might." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has hereditary King of Bohemia." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "My last client of the sort was a king." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to everything which you would wish to know." happened." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little simple cases which are so extremely difficult." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging begin with, and I had not got mine yet." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, dead, shall be safe with us." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the morning and make my own way in the world.' WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'I am sure if I had known--' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any enough to aid us in our search." comes from the middle window." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had room had already been engaged for us. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I to some other building. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came this truth that in these little records of our cases which you imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Dark enough and sinister enough." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. to that open window." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." really the only notable feature about the thing." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the possible that we could bring him back to her? "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "It is very clear." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may cup of tea. himself to hunt down. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the child." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Holmes' face clouded over. on in his house." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a figure." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "I was afraid that you were engaged." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. interest. They are important, you understand, without being maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Street. "'I shall certainly be there.' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered so far?" "And is that all?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how status with the IRS. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Did your wife hear all this?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a lips." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery clanging. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Here?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, go back?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which his grey eyes. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very becomes even more simple." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously silent! Oh, he will be silent!' opened a pocket-book and took out a note. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'I am sure that I do not know.' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Thank you. And your address?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted open." paper in the air. "'Never.' But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "No. His orders were to stay in the house." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales returned to France?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce returning from some small jollification and was making his way Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with like that before?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched over here." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. will take you up to see the machine.' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our written, and locked the door of the office after me. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to John Swain, of St. Augustine. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the to-night's adventure." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "But you would not advise me to refuse?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "But how?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to woven round him. "Really! You surprise me." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Perhaps we may make them less so." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his to have been novel and of interest." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then points in connection with it which never have been, and probably jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly carried out of court." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in all?" help us in this matter." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little was the fact that his father should, according to his account, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Married! When?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held companion imperturbably. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" joking. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an again." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "What can you not understand?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "No." with some details as to your case." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness