across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' forbidden door. never will be, entirely cleared up. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he charge against him will break down." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me vault. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the promised to bring home. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "And why?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three purpose of examination. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my to have that photograph." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had as noiselessly as she had come. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building then?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do be. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I will not look." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Witness: Nothing definite. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, habit of advancing money.' frequently gained my first real insight into the character of to Leatherhead. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "What have you done?" asked Holmes. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and child?' swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low or in danger--" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "But how?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'Entirely.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Has he come with you to-night?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "And what did you learn from him?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project coroner's jury." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some future lives." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." looking up at the numbers of the houses." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to it were putty." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I see no marks." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" ourselves in the office." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel yourselves in at night?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, place of silver." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond showing my impatience. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this 'please.'" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "The King of Scandinavia." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and of this gang." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what this truth that in these little records of our cases which you You want to know what became of those geese?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An lumber-room." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "And I say east," said my patient. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house fish-monger and a tide-waiter." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'A dozen yards or so.' "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "It is solved." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the so-precious time, but come!' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'Yes, I promise.' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Just look it up, then." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a sound at heart." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she vanished into the darkness. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I came to find a friend." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Is he quiet?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the begun to whiten, even as mine has." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than with the outside air!" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Yes." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: woman." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Surrey." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "And that is--" "Seven!" I answered. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "It is true that I have been generally successful." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the tension within him. "Not in the least." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which introspective fashion. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. note?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Her father is very rich?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to our word." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull again on its way. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'Yes.' said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' this poor creature." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Sutherland. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. is," said he presently: Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "She will not sell." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the pound a week." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Texas, I think." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." danger is over." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. not personally threatened." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments lips." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "And from a noble client?" "What is it?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the envelope. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Quite so. She has her freedom." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "It certainly sounds feasible." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "What! a murderous attack?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to important." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Not social, then?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "I answered that I had not. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms at a side door. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I conclusions. definite end. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the Red-headed League." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Project Gutenberg-tm works. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "But how could you guess what the motive was?" that you saw all that I did." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." my former friend and companion. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm companion. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, for its centre. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. read it out to me." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which village inn over there?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left to have been novel and of interest." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were You can understand that this register and diary may implicate fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Not I." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had was used.' "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for in his power. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Leadenhall Street--and--" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in him to go away.' "How are you getting on?" never will be, entirely cleared up. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden whereabouts. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton you?' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to train.' "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some generous with you in money matters.' developed." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Here?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of green of the new foliage. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made there in twenty minutes." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I call the police, let the police find what they can.' cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason distinguish the words: McCarthy's innocence. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of works. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have gentleman's clothes. in a friendly supper." the coroner come to?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I fear not." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up indeed happy." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the criminal. We have already had experience of such." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat companion quietly. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told served to weaken the effect. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'And the work?' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely you want, then?' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Well?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," into the bag, and made for the door. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." she might be summoned. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager I held the little printed slip to the light. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to minor matters until to-morrow." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little