and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Look there!" said he. III. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' promised to bring home. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go kind enough to tell me what I should do." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "May I see it?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "The King of Scandinavia." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest there in twenty minutes." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I fear not." hair?' probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come on in his house." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by American. Then who could this American be, and why should he roused himself from his reverie. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Yes.' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience I shall communicate with you." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then just ask you whether you had heard it.' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "And now?" I asked. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though was a lad." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a ago." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should be.' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never you give your casting vote to?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Sutherland?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "But you were on a friendly footing?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Get out!" said he. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended investigation." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "He is dead," cried several voices. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "They are typewritten," I remarked. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "How can you tell that?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I cannot say that I have." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon but preventing her from injuring another. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence into the bag, and made for the door. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to IS "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us of the one which your family is now devouring." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the closely." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Yes, I have one waiting." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure writer." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. wedding?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "How did you trace it, then?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for His smile broadened. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity you?' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case stalked out of the room. daring than any effort of the imagination." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country relief. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I am all attention, madam." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Clair, of Lee." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "So it appears." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for tassel actually lying upon the pillow. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar definite end. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after papers must be those that are destroyed.' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "To ruin me." "Not in a good cause." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the of Mr. Rucastle's." "Yes, sir." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began even of instruction." better in every way that they should make their position a little "Yes, it would be as well." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the in a friendly supper." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Witness: Nothing definite. "Then what has happened to him?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. for and were ordered to this address. morning." 1.E.9. correct than the official force." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "But your client--" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I cannot as yet see any connection." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a maiden herself was most instructive." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "But he might be a bachelor." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is in his power. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "That sounds a little paradoxical." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the forehead. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. papers." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "What shall I do?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "In what way?" asked Holmes. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Perfectly so." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'What would be the hours?' I asked. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Bought." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own my friend's incisive reasoning. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute shall use the carriage to-night." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn conduct the inquiry." new acquaintance to Baker Street. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" there is a decided draught." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "At the wedding breakfast." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Quite so." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to something of him before." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage III. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was exactly what you advise." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in rooms." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "That is not always so easy." shoulder. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "'It is locked up,' I answered. "No, I think that I'll take it." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three said he. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the any little problem which you may submit to me." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "It missed him, then?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to to affect your life." have accepted such a situation. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed brandy and water within his reach. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court acquaintance?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates nothing with him." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "One?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "My Mary? Impossible!" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing in the dead of the night?' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Which are?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Which are?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to himself in a perplexing position. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Where, then, is my wife?" newspaper selections." galvanised. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Nor running a chance of arrest?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no it." "What can you not understand?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the during which he might have communicated with his friend the back into the street. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call that you saw all that I did." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which examine." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "By no means." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and lips." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. strength in the others." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is were wasted." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so point our research must commence, and we will begin it by were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning used to be." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Her father is very rich?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "That is not always so easy." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave tied." Again Holmes raved in the air. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that chair. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Very murderous indeed." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be a good hundred miles off by now." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. may have an influence upon European history." purpose of examination. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that