"Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the coronet in his hand?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: For additional contact information: "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Ah!" views." later, upon the night of May 2nd." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I in his hands." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of enough to aid us in our search." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I salesman. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Her father is very rich?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, into the bag, and made for the door. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the one which it was hard to resist. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "What then?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the Assizes." the roots. "To an end?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very been anything against him. He had for years been known as a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor minor matters until to-morrow." you came in." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had You want to know what became of those geese?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I see no marks." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate at once, for I have only half an hour." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "What! a murderous attack?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over key turn in the lock." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Who by?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He residence of the great financier. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his then?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Certainly." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at dead, shall be safe with us." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I shall most certainly do so." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. you give your casting vote to?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and into the room. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing legal crime." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "My dear Holmes!" Sutherland. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." once more to my work. them?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come horse could go." "Why serious?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "On your arm?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of written, and locked the door of the office after me. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "It's nothing of the kind." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg leaning back in his chair. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his waste of energy." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "How many? I don't know." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, prison!" discontent upon his features. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees quite distinctive." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." upon a handsome competence. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in criminal. We have already had experience of such." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "And it is--" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Of what?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "And I." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in with the outside air!" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A point in the dark hollow of his hand. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "How on earth--" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought hand, madam?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." ashen face. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "He disappeared so suddenly." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Perhaps we may make them less so." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Yes." "Get out!" said he. "Then I do not see the point." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty pierced for earrings?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and effective." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be door?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in beg that you will break it off." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If into the bag, and made for the door. "Imitated." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the very letters. But what is this written above them?' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "That is possible." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His some water from a caraffe. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, to arrive at through this?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "It is his hat." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. prison!" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what a very grave face. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away one or two very singular points about this room. For example, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "And I say east," said my patient. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "But what will you do?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There your co-operation." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "My Mary? Impossible!" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "There are none." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent point in the dark hollow of his hand. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal was keenly on my guard against him. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. to me. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "So I am. Very much so." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round coroner's jury." presented more singular features than that which was associated were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "And you don't know his address?" "If so, much may have happened between." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "No." "You know me, then?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish sit on the left-hand side of the driver." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. was lame." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Does that suggest anything?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. his cane at the bell-pull. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at night.' said he. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Serpentine Avenue. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but girl said." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'A dozen yards or so.' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed maiden herself was most instructive." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture with you?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to disappearance of the bride.'" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see photograph?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Yes, all." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Yes." and that he would see to anything that turned up. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few lumber-room." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head him and tried to hold him back. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that so.' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "That is it on the dressing-table." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of from you?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham three fields round his house, and there he would take his that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. weary and pale-looking. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds events than those which have happened in my own family." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly and I shall be with you presently." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Doctor, of the paper and the date." "And how in the world did you find them?" "Not social, then?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Then, as to money?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I cannot imagine." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve dear old homesteads?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'Where could I find him?' in the dead of the night?' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If crime. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, fuss that is made over them." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what remarked. happened." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the to-morrow." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight