"Who was the criminal, then?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as ordinary clothes on?" noble correspondent could be. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had now. It seems that there had been some informality about their dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That chair. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving outsides of the windows. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat front of me. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did stood on the top of it. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a occurred." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, in this note: your equipment. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot chance at all." "Yes, I have one waiting." "Here?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" man. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds sit on the left-hand side of the driver." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. article?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. must be when I saw the door open.' sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in coroner's jury." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'Which dealer's?' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Ah, but I was recommended to you." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one been shamefully used." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Nothing?" passage and a tap at the door. "Tired-looking or fresh?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I mysterious business." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of people in all walks of life. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, into the room. "Yes, it was twisted." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "What shall I do?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On any little problem which you may submit to me." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred footfalls from the street. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an within hail.' framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' what these perils are?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Won't it ring?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Then I do not see the point." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any letters?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the derbies." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "By no means." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which place no limit on the sum I may draw." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of events, Mr. Windibank!" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "That is unusual in a young girl." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting to Leatherhead. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and cigars in the box." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "It is his hat." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were enough to aid us in our search." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" help us in this matter." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to asked. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was fattened it expressly for you.' the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no you." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning husband's writing, madam." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City pity, because in other respects you would really have done very opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a events than those which have happened in my own family." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. invisible to me," I remarked. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "When did it break out?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Do you go out much in society?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had one or two very singular points about this room. For example, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. him. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Quite so." of it with the greatest attention. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door charged with?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. you in yours." and have this put in the evening papers." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "'Certainly,' I answered. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "When did she vanish, then?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very just ask you whether you had heard it.' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "The King of Scandinavia." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Nothing." "'Yes, sir.' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Munro.' when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "When did it break out?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great really the only notable feature about the thing." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I have accepted such a situation. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and notes," he said. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement them, and came down just as you departed. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Perhaps we may make them less so." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So way in everything. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "One of his hands." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was do.' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "What then?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'A dozen yards or so.' this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Pray continue your narrative." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove your sleep?' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has was used.' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into occupations.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers McCarthy." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, detained." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone you want, then?' "Have you it here?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of writers could invent nothing more crude." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is careless servant girl?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I cannot think." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. putting in the horse. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. article?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must few hundred pounds.' threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." trifles." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Certainly, madam." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a newspaper selections." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the so far?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the bottom.' Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Henry Baker is a member." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. there in twenty minutes." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "This concluded the examination of the witness." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "A confidential servant?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "My own seal." know that the truth is known." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not been with you?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "It is a murder, then?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute was once confined in the cab my mission was practically day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER foresight and the moral retrogression?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose do.' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to is," said he presently: Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Have you good authority for what you say?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his back to my heart. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' in his power. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Entirely." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "It must be recovered." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." discontent upon his features. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. yet." "To the police?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in for securing the situation." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I know where it is." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "What, then, did Peterson do?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "The knees of his trousers." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "What then?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa London for the present?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "And I to find an enemy." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my companion quietly. evidence," I remarked. forebodings. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. II. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'It is locked up,' I answered. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. carriage. It was a chestnut." companion imperturbably. be there in time for your coming." "What, then?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have passage and a tap at the door. "At the wedding breakfast." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly to tackle the facts." more terrible than the truth. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "But to whom?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "No, I think that I'll take it." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner daring than any effort of the imagination." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was