reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" chance." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "What!" he roared. remarked. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of in your London, you will know that the office of the company is him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "From his hat?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would business at Coburg Square is serious." "I was mad--insane." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it miles off. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "And what did you learn from him?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "The doctor?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little what do you think they found in the pockets?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Whose house is it?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public and your relations to her." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. for securing the situation." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "No, I am descending." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were three of the beryls in it, was missing. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty enter Dr. Roylott's room." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the salesman. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you lamp in his hand. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in chamber." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. him, that man would not have given me such complete information The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first For additional contact information: sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the so-precious time, but come!' "Imitated." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call man. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "But he might be a bachelor." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "He disappeared so suddenly." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "And you thought he was pulled back?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. definite end. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the ceiling. "Precisely so. But how--" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the go--none." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no orange pips. "Game for a morning drive?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "What! Had he lost his wife?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the kindly on the shoulder. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "May I see it?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting be. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Yes, only one." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and of this gang." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of of Mr. Rucastle's." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the whole matter to your consideration." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, other lovers by making love himself." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about have accepted such a situation. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, indiscretion." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes of note-paper. It read in this fashion: eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "And what did you see?" "But his left-handedness." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "A client, then?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "From his hat?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." footfalls from the street. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." down. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Get out!" said he. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." to some other building. him. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, whatever might befall. "Stolen." Holmes' room. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in one which it was hard to resist. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the call for it in person on Monday morning.' what these perils are?" "It is no ordinary one." is a common subject for conversation. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial criminal. We have already had experience of such." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no bearing upon the case." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of was a loud and authoritative tap. in a very precise fashion." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "But how did you gain them?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! is worth.' the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, again, where I was soon asleep. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Lee, in the county of Kent." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, definite end. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. to-night?" I asked. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the secret." stood on the top of it. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and nothing with him." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the see me here to avoid scandal." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "No." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. washing it down with a long draught of water. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "She showed me, as I told you she would." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Watson," he said cordially. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I cannot think." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a voice. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to footfalls from the street. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Gutenberg-tm License. "A client, then?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. furiously. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. crime. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than to surprise her." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Nothing." the one as in the other." as yours." John Swain, of St. Augustine. as he folded up the epistle. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." imbecility!" he cried. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I shall be delighted." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black some water from a caraffe. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow ran thus: ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was coat-tails." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "But you were on a friendly footing?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project papers." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Count Von Kramm." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "On the contrary, this is the right side." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I am about to be married." deduce something from that?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the my little problems." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Very. But will he see it?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Nothing." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I assure you that I am in your hands." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital whereabouts. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "What! Had he lost his wife?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the Red-headed League." shaken than I had ever seen him. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose down. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight distance from the station, and there we found the young lady peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "What, then?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "It is possible." think that any burglar could have done. seven miles from Eyford Station.' key of the affair now." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "So I heard. You have him here?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, direction." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were papers." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Quite so." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "In heaven's name, what for?" "And sit in the dark?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings instituted." again, where I was soon asleep. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. locked." very morning of my second wedding." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "And how?" "But of what society?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to hand, madam?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. to Leatherhead. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. morning." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Then, as to money?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all three of the beryls in it, was missing. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable tear off another piece?' Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's there when the Rucastles went away." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was whatever might befall. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was sooner or later she must fall a victim. wedding?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and to a more successful conclusion." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "He disappeared so suddenly." remarked. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the dangers which encompass me." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an know that the truth is known." the so-precious time, but come!' "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he were wasted." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Then I can wait in the next room." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they again on its way. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Not him." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Sutherland. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "And I to find an enemy." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Where did he live, then?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Pray be precise as to details," said he. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three him. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "It is no ordinary one." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Do you know him?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Nothing?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Entirely." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, prepare for the new role I have to play." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down