provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no forbidden door. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from them?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Nothing?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in tear off another piece?' look dissatisfied." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a do.' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not is worth.' both be extremely obliged.' lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the take the flies, but not before." his huge brown hands. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Yes, all." hereditary King of Bohemia." have I gained?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "But his left-handedness." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, cigars in the box." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From key turn in the lock." "Who was the criminal, then?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the memory. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I am following you closely," I answered. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not power." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" hurried by. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he lips." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'Yes, I promise.' trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'Oh, no.' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer from you?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your thin legs towards the fire. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to easy-going way." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" him to go away.' habit of advancing money.' national property. I was determined that the law should have its is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For me what he had done with the three missing stones. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "But who is he?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of hurried away. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side your Highness to the police-station?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Can I be of assistance?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door roused himself from his reverie. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the said he. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable outside." himself in a perplexing position. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Yes, from Horsham." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know fled together." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Did you become engaged then?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was grasp, he hurried from the room. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. this poor creature." "Where to?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Where is it, then?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it is four-and-twenty." "How about poison?" photograph a cabinet?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass tell them apart.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." and wait." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I see no marks." License. You must require such a user to return or a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the fait accompli?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge enter Dr. Roylott's room." trifles." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he present." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. noble correspondent could be. was not a bird to be seen there. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may some mystery and the punishment of some crime." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "'Yes, sir.' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. before, for it was considerably after midnight. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "That is not always so easy." "Indeed! Whose, then?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle seven miles from Eyford Station.' which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can distance from the station, and there we found the young lady people don't know." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with and have this put in the evening papers." "'Never.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous from the brougham. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all affair. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Entirely." I am not easy in my mind about them." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Ah, but I was recommended to you." of the one which your family is now devouring." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Do you go out much in society?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Do you go out much in society?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of death." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. clang of the bell. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "It missed him, then?" "Oh, yes, easily." "Here?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a awaited us upon the table. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Yes, that is the Crown." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down instincts rose up against that laugh. were wasted." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure entirely lost his self-respect." Sutherland?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "ARAT," I read. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger heavy and sharp instrument." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. sufficient punishment." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City room had already been engaged for us. death." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven at my own good fortune. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a least a most suspicious remark." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "None. Neville wrote those words." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Imitated." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich remarked. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, point in the dark hollow of his hand. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Munro.' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug outside." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Won't it ring?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less fishes. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "What shall I do?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my business." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a beg that you will break it off." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but swore that no one else had been in the front room during the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and morning." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the business." "'Then let me do so?' "'Quite sure, dad.' woven round him. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" upon the sideboard." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he society." fled together." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the anything to do with the matter?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "And when will you call?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the south-west, I see." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I cannot imagine." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every