Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began eat it." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a only touch the interest." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery meanly of me." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Yes, only one." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, to-night?' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third as yours." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A compunction about shooting them down." bonnet, and went out." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, throat." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I grasp, he hurried from the room. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will instincts rose up against that laugh. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what you." "Never." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings congratulate you again." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Do you know him?" empty. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Upon what point?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique for its centre. "Yes." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest bears upon the case?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do have been better. It is all right." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Holmes, the busybody!" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the devil!" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Perhaps I have." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Pope's Court. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed colonel looking down at me. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Well, it is a possible supposition." what I may call a really hard day's work." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the he bowed and left the room without another word. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." know that the truth is known." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing shaken than I had ever seen him. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The tightly behind him. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you easy-going way." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with closely." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "You are hungry," I remarked. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall conceal it?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "What, then?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "And that is--" must compliment you." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "BALLARAT." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the following enigmatical notices: saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush quickly through a disagreeable task. way in." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face humiliation." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in guilty one." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Where did he live, then?" him. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without which are rolled in Rotterdam." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder spark where all is dark to me." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "On your arm?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Yes, certainly." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place future lives." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain have been better. It is all right." some city in a dream. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." any more." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found have been better. It is all right." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' heavily into it. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There I was concerned in it." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and you want, then?' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in definite end. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "It looks newer than the other things?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Street. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'Yes, sir.' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "What will you do, then?" chair. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are character. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one him to be an active member of the medical profession." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Witness: I must still refuse. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until appointment with me for six o'clock?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the have one." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and capable of preserving a secret.' owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps families. Now for the facts. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my passage and a tap at the door. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is that you wished to speak to me?' danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom was a loud and authoritative tap. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." learned something! Where are the gems?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." held up the lantern and gazed about him. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Count Von Kramm." knowledge of the world." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room point our research must commence, and we will begin it by I have it here in my museum." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to was lame." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, of a light. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Yes, that is the Crown." "Really! You surprise me." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me go from here to the Strand." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us I have it here in my museum." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly seem to you to be relevant or not." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. nothing with him." "But how?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "And how have you succeeded?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and nice household for a young lady." maiden herself was most instructive." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it important." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Witness: I must still refuse. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to to his chemical studies. were wasted." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Street. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold in a friendly supper." fatally injured? "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Yes, only one." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that dear old homesteads?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship answered with a sidelong glance. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened it? Did I buy the geese off you?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." placed his cuttings. pierced for earrings?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "It is solved." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Certainly." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net forehead. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." instincts rose up against that laugh. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for nothing with him." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong your equipment. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the you, my dear young lady?' "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "VIOLET HUNTER." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'Where could I find him?' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "The decline of his fortunes, then?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. that you saw all that I did." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the photograph?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in pictures, libraries, or plate. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the warnings." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "No." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her interest. They are important, you understand, without being "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he skylight. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of present." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full children over to America with him, so that I found myself without tear off another piece?' "A call for help, you thought?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" at my remark. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. interested in these little problems, and since you are good quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and the colonel ushered me in. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." infinite languor in his face. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly