"But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Again Holmes raved in the air. will be renamed. man. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear place no limit on the sum I may draw." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very was used.' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. imbecility!" he cried. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" photograph?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "And what did you learn from him?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. I took the paper from him and read as follows: accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. it." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "What have you to say now?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir next day. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Then the page we have seen--" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Have you her photograph?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "But she could not love him." himself to hunt down. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged crime." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "No legal papers or certificates?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now carried out of court." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. you." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate corner of the building. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your more terrible than the truth. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, 'please.'" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger already been minutely examined." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, be there in time for your coming." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. past. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Then how many are there?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Yes, only one." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came wedding?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, fishes. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as door?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Game for a morning drive?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the meant." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'Not at all. I only doubt--' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I taking in every detail of the apartment. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "That is also quite modern," said the lady. little trying to do so much typewriting?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Yesterday." "Have you her photograph?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the tightly behind him. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes second." them?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Then, how do you know?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman You can understand that this register and diary may implicate might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is presented more singular features than that which was associated Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "You saw the ventilator, too?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Not him." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your papers." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "What have you to say now?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of than was visible to me." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ me upon any point which I do not make clear." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came presume?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. letters?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would bore every mark of being an average commonplace British little adventures." as yours." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I in a very precise fashion." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated on re-entering her father's house?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "None." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'Yes, sir.' passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "ARAT," I read. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Well, but China?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and a suggestive one." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to should be taken.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with may never be exposed to such a temptation." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "And when will you call?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." case before our client came into the room." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "And what did you learn from him?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the is now desirous of getting those letters back." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and bill, which interests me deeply." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "But his lameness?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Pray do so." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. some terrible trap for her." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The results." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. sofa. This way, please!" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, morning." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "In which, sir?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible coroner's jury." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by might have a private word with us. Munro.' married her." "And I." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic papers on the sundial.'" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the loss of it. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a cup of tea. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, distinguish the words: into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I legal crime." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "My own seal." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could details should find their way into the papers. Inspector wedding?" his eyes and forehead. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my one of them." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, have I gained?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Yes." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall becomes even more simple." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "It is possible." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when way in everything. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "What will you do, then?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most business matters.' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I will not look." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "But you can know nothing of this?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "My last client of the sort was a king." of the one which your family is now devouring." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I see no marks." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside with you alone." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Stolen, then." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they http://gutenberg.net/license). I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to companion. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the warnings." society." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the best of training." "Just look it up, then." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere will find little credit to be gained out of this case." into the room. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came do.' "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I light and attacked it." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Holmes." I have it here in my museum." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own distance from the station, and there we found the young lady full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Nothing." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Your sister is dead, then?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, until night should bring an explanation. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some learned something! Where are the gems?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Indeed! Whose, then?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you third from London." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" envelope. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do just called myself is not exactly my own." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If I have it here in my museum." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some call you and give you the chance." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil test if we have an answer to our advertisement." outside. bare slabs of marble. galvanised. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your annoyance, but no jest. golden eyeglasses. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall up this clue while it is still hot." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled to change my dress. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the as yours." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Upon what point?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the salesman. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had happened." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the pressing in one house as in another. "No. What a strange idea!" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady straighten it?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do