charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular when your master had gone out." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove envelope. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation it means?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your opened the door, and slipped through. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Entirely." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight lips." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point him and tried to hold him back. attention." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle business." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and matter." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "To an end?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with indeed which he could not unravel. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "She told me to ask you." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Does that suggest anything?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat you." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have sake, don't!" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried opened the door, and slipped through. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" least a fellow-countryman. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "How often?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the opportunities to fix the problem. chambers. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Imitated." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly but preventing her from injuring another. "No, my brougham is waiting." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "In what way?" asked Holmes. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Yes." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been shoulder. fuss that is made over them." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the very morning of the wedding." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "The knees of his trousers." future lives." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is confronted him. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "No. What a strange idea!" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious down in his armchair and closing his eyes. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "BALLARAT." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "'Never,' said I. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'Why that?' I asks. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." hand, madam?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification there when the Rucastles went away." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" and all of them with the keenest interest. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot green of the new foliage. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE my little problems." laugh and put his lips to my ear. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Again Holmes raved in the air. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried became a certainty. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Dirty?" "Get out!" said he. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At interests were the same as his." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Not in a good cause." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "What then?" "How many? I don't know." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My his forehead." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian which was all perfectly true. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind tightly behind him. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. little adventures." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "How did that help you?" "How did that help you?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "You have it, sir, just as it happened." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the tied." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." whereabouts. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled hair?' "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of details." been." records." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we affection." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "To ruin me." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'Entirely.' we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "I say it is." noble correspondent could be. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who me where it went to?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of your billet.' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Leave Paddington by the 11:15." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the extraordinary contortions. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Yes." "'As governess?' "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Not in the least." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "That was it, sir." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a again." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "But she will refuse." was it brought him the coronet? pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken voice. definite end. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Witness: I must still refuse. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back call it cruel." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Married! When?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Yes, all." the one as in the other." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this forbidden door. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her as the one I chose?' see me here to avoid scandal." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to stepfather?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it British peeress.'" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "He said that you could solve anything." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind certainly do as you advise." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. London for the present?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I will do it." "Deserted you?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to nonsense.' anything to do with the matter?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set photograph a cabinet?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "The best possible." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "And it is--" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always me what he had done with the three missing stones. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able closely." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Bought." "'About the same.' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "He said that you could solve anything." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which written, and locked the door of the office after me. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case gentleman's clothes. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "And why?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. thought that she would have been so carried away." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "No." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Then you may be so with me." "No. What a strange idea!" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than hurried away. "No." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington desk. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Does that suggest anything?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent to affect your life." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, wedding?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried someone who had been in Australia." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic mysterious end." plantation.' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, are, and they are waiting for us." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "But how will you look?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. morning." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less strange features which were associated with the two crimes which destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread hurried away. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream.