statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the have an American origin." drawing your inferences." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the think that any burglar could have done. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may made him keep the appointment." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "At what time?" past. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture upon the white wrist. "I will get her to show me." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." more terrible than the truth. "What can it mean?" I gasped. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment your own bird, so if you wish--" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal said I. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he over here." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it key of the affair now." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her and shall probably return to London by the evening train." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Then the page we have seen--" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away to miss it." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, which it had come upon my father." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as in the port of London." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! formed some opinion?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Foundation It was close upon four before the door opened, and a believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is since then to throw any light upon what became of him." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "What is it?" "Yes, only one." three fields round his house, and there he would take his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "No?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "You know me, then?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door bore every mark of being an average commonplace British was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'What, the red-headed man?' "Nor running a chance of arrest?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and your relations to her." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "By no means." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman recover the gem." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "But you have hopes?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for during that time.' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the morning and make my own way in the world.' several quiet little villages up there." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight to have that photograph." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be disturbance in my wife." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to amused." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the discontent upon his features. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them when you have done it." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER never came back." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "About a month then." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "'And the work?' "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a goes." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "What can it mean?" I gasped. remarked. this remarkable episode. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence look dissatisfied." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this rat could hardly pass through." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Well, it is a possible supposition." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, used to be." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, peculiar to him. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled leave you to your papers for a little." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Farm upon the left." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, him nearly every evening." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Holmes. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Edgeware Road. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Precisely." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." some city in a dream. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'I have already given you my word.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." upon the white wrist. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I been able to understand it, in a very few words. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most way: money should be paid at once.' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem may have an influence upon European history." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this helping a boy to put up the shutters. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "She showed me, as I told you she would." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Your presence might be invaluable." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I fear not." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her that you can jump it.' "Stolen." to-night." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" business came to an end." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked tension within him. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "My opinion is in no way altered." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. delighted to hear it," he said. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood that?' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I was afraid that you were engaged." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more guilty parties." "'Yes, sir.' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "You forget that I know nothing about it." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. giving me time to thank him. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." of Mr. Rucastle's." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as off." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Yes, I have one waiting." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'Yes, I promise.' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "And you can do nothing until then?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I say that I have solved it." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "He is still with you, I presume?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "It is very clear." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; highly," said Holmes. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some gentleman's clothes. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my instituted." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Nothing." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "On Monday." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant despaired of." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert relation between them, and what the object of his repeated stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked crime." developed." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and the whole place is in a blaze." "I shall be delighted." 1.E.9. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout business." "Come in!" said Holmes. "And who is her maid?" were unconscious?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "It looks newer than the other things?" long narrative. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. to-night?" I asked. "Quite so." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the nothing with him." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to forbidden door. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was you." was used.' The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "And help." the one as in the other." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs generous with you in money matters.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Certainly." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the visitors." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "My last client of the sort was a king." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "None." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he events, Mr. Windibank!" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, business?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "No, I had a dozen." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the this as likely?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham indiscretion." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "But his lameness?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on writing, and yet I know it well." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "How many? I don't know." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "You have carte blanche." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "My last client of the sort was a king." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but already been minutely examined." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to gone. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "To the police?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those disappearance of these gems?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly anything to do with the matter?" envelope. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had my special province." may never be exposed to such a temptation." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category.