had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. meant it for the best. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which if only as a check to my own memory." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Not in a good cause." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he you." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it minor matters until to-morrow." "Not yet." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is nothing of it?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and it need not interfere very much with one's other expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "No. His orders were to stay in the house." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is British peeress.'" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the what is your own theory as to what took place?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "You think so, too?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "It is very kind of you." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' better grown goose." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'Then let me do so?' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." disappearance of the bride.'" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "By train from Waterloo." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. went to the Alpha were town bred." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to you give your casting vote to?" "I have seen the police." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It missed him, then?" "Perfectly so." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "It certainly sounds feasible." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men easy-going way." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "It was." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little residence of the great financier. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a said Mr. Holder. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been asked. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "The Cedars?" to some other building. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which some place of shelter and let the county police know what has fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself II. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the pictures, libraries, or plate. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his your co-operation." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Does that suggest anything?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Mary, has deserted me." "Really! You surprise me." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and is entirely a question of barometric pressure." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." spark where all is dark to me." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are maid will bring up your coffee." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods test if we have an answer to our advertisement." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, shall not find me ungrateful." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one burst out into a roar of laughter. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be delighted to hear it," he said. "No." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "One of his hands." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few might have a private word with us. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. about. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Where is it, then?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates third from London." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'You cannot say what it was?' upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his voice, changing her seat as requested. "I think that it is very probable." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Not him." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them mysterious business." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "It is half-past ten now." "On the contrary, this is the right side." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "No sign of it?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "But I have heard all that you have heard." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Sholtos." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the Assizes." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "ARAT," I read. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into as noiselessly as she had come. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the coronet in his hand?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it straightened it out again. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Then, as to money?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his been anything against him. He had for years been known as a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Holmes rather sternly. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Then what has happened to him?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with come either from the window or the door. My attention was "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir sound at heart." both be extremely obliged.' "10th. John Swain cleared. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be for the market.' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the leaning back in his chair. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "It is no ordinary one." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was and glanced through. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to and I shall be with you presently." place of silver." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. experiences." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most geese which you supplied to the Alpha." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in daring than any effort of the imagination." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was for the market.' that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he back into the street. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "And how in the world did you find them?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the bed, and you in that chair." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, than was visible to me." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a http://www.gutenberg.net "Was the window open?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve one or two very singular points about this room. For example, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." over with notes and figures. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which instincts rose up against that laugh. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an My friend smiled. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were amused." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "My dear Holmes!" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the you do it in twenty minutes!' away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'Most admirably.' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES stammered. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "No, I had a dozen." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'Most admirably.' has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Quite so." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Only as much as we can deduce." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my you in yours." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "It goes to the housekeeper's room." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE look upon these things in a different way." "That is unusual in a young girl." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at three fields round his house, and there he would take his "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Nothing?" business came to an end." "Then how many are there?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Foundation "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the driver. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Serpentine Avenue. that you saw all that I did." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Chief Executive and Director "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Not I." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even of them has the shutters up.' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was examination of the premises, but without finding anything which a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness The summons was a brief and urgent one. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so letters?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast trifles." cup of tea. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you again before evening." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now your most interesting statement." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Edgeware Road. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges tell me that you intended to go into harness." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and a shock of very red hair. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled lost nothing by them." the side-table." wedding?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, pictures, libraries, or plate.