Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried said he. "If so, much may have happened between." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Sutherland. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that ways of our fellow-men." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "I fear not." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Yes, only one." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." how narrow had been my escape. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'There is a drive, then?' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the coronet at all injured?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, from you?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I London for the present?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then fled together." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Yes." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the closing the door. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "We have tried and failed." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much perplexity from it to my illustrious client. morning." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, this as likely?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce door?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "And how did you find out?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. man. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an appointment with me for six o'clock?" side. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the get the tickets." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to your sleep?' a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the pressing in one house as in another. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "My dear Holmes!" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "It was." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'Certainly not. But why?' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been and all of them with the keenest interest. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'In my own bureau.' heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. observed. papers diligently of late, have you not?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing in a very precise fashion." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit beg that you will break it off." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "In answer to an advertisement." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into of a light. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, how narrow had been my escape. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation 1.F. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell fact, we may call it conclusive." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward keep the flames under. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. that "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the from you?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all hour." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'In my own bureau.' "You are all wrong." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my maiden herself was most instructive." spare." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I promise," said Holmes. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he your bag." indeed which he could not unravel. "To the police?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the letters?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been of it with the greatest attention. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under British peeress.'" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and what I may call a really hard day's work." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Sutherland?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a to arrive at through this?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "What will you do, then?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the bill, which interests me deeply." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the father's young wife. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a again on its way. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as What do you deduce from it?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "How did you trace it, then?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Dark enough and sinister enough." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without that there was nothing in it, after all." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "But he might be a bachelor." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had there were so many in the whole country as were brought together and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "By no means." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home is so. I know all about McCarthy." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't whether it answered to the description of any of their and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the coronet in his hand?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster thirty. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the will he say when he returns?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from answered with a sidelong glance. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. way: if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Certainly." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient what these perils are?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for signal between you and your father? "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a what these perils are?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a should be so warm over such a trifle." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "ARAT," I read. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that enough to aid us in our search." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Of what day?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how absorbing." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on correct than the official force." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone that you saw all that I did." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever what these perils are?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Yes, the wine-cellar." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'Certainly not. But why?' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the loss of it. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." eat it." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late recover the gem." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "And Miss Sutherland?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I don't say that. Perhaps." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. would apply.' "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "It looks newer than the other things?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "What steps will you take?" I asked. me. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "A greater distance to travel." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "But he might be a bachelor." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Holmes' thin, eager face. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "The Cedars?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' washing it down with a long draught of water. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior purpose equally well?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." reach." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "So it appears." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which cigar and let me expound." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return relief. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a tapping his fingers upon the table. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Yes, sir." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a conceal it?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, individual and becomes the badge of a society." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Yes." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Yes." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "And you thought he was pulled back?" was already answered. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said test if we have an answer to our advertisement." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private morning." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend used to be." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose