"The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "One?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle drove away. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of sofa. This way, please!" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Never to return." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the side-table." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "No, I had a dozen." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Eh? What was that?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Which are?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "I answered that I had not. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly written. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "But your client--" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do which are rolled in Rotterdam." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and to-morrow." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been occurred." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Eh? What was that?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he photograph?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet conversation I have gathered that they have been married about turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at I nodded again. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking your only hope of safety." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I am all attention, madam." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Who was the criminal, then?" is a common subject for conversation. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "How did you deduce the select?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. may have an influence upon European history." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Absolutely?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated swore that no one else had been in the front room during the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the inquest, and which are worth considering." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which posted to-day." the matter." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls your own bird, so if you wish--" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." http://www.gutenberg.net late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as certainly not very gracious." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry infinite languor in his face. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story which it had come upon my father." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of certainly do as you advise." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Precisely so. But how--" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed habit of advancing money.' "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the it were putty." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "But how will you look?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Then you may be so with me." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been sentimental considerations in the background which would induce from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and habit of advancing money.' was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was orange pips. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired or other trace. But how on earth--" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to a more successful conclusion." there!' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "And did you observe any change in her then?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a morning." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. might help us?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to keep the flames under. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall details should find their way into the papers. Inspector planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Yes. He waved his hands." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential cigars in the box." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "I am following you closely," I answered. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." easy-going way." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side or in danger--" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Entirely." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips coat-tails." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as his knees, staring into the fire. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the running down." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the strength of mind to control. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'Oh, no.' "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "In answer to an advertisement." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Imitated." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the nursery. there!' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I say that I have solved it." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our future lives." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out system of imprisonment?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "It goes to the housekeeper's room." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'How far from the body?' the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have congenial hunt. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the imbecility!" he cried. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "I should like to see him very much." girl said." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no returned to France?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "But what will you do?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the nursery. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Yes." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." furiously. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between upon a handsome competence. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good purpose of examination. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." better grown goose." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest or in danger--" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or this Miss Turner." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but train.' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Yes, there are nearly always some there." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "So I heard. You have him here?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a what is your own theory as to what took place?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" maid will bring up your coffee." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the roots. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Whose house is it?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Two days later this same performance was gone through under of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" more solid." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss power." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? used to be." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both room?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should directors have had misgivings upon the subject." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come hereditary King of Bohemia." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "But how did you gain them?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that will be renamed. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "The Cedars?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "'Certainly not.' "Upon what point?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Very murderous indeed." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Where, then?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" points to suicide?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "It came here." over here." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this chemical work which was so dear to him. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, against a man in the prime of life?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and the colonel ushered me in. forehead. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in green of the new foliage. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Bought." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were events than those which have happened in my own family." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is purpose equally well?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you all?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any way in everything. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. carriage. It was a chestnut." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged cheerful." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said American. Then who could this American be, and why should he my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If father's place of business?"