"Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire miles off. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. to Leatherhead. "In the cells." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling ways of our fellow-men." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Where, indeed?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Did you observe the colour?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the bonnet, and went out." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle your co-operation." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'Stolen!' he cried. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem joking. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" business." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you photograph a cabinet?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Yes." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you daring than any effort of the imagination." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the I nodded to show that I had heard. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? meanly of me." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I shall most certainly do so." "But who is he?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "It is solved." lost his Christmas dinner." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; and no precautions can guard against." throat." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, read over the extraordinary announcement. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was it." murdered man." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, me what he had done with the three missing stones. have accepted such a situation. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every pierced for earrings?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "She told me to ask you." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I thin legs towards the fire. before, for it was considerably after midnight. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most it." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Thank you. Pray proceed." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the outsides of the windows. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the matter." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the detained." said he. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her some city in a dream. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Project Gutenberg-tm works. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as But Holmes shook his head gravely. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "It goes to the housekeeper's room." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his answered with a sidelong glance. room had already been engaged for us. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case question," said Holmes, smiling. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is shall use the carriage to-night." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has society." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be sooner or later she must fall a victim. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the dramatic, in fact." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and best detective that ever lived. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when interests were the same as his." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'How far from the body?' six. Come in!" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "What! a murderous attack?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt thought that she would have been so carried away." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he our word." that, and I came down." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon place no limit on the sum I may draw." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon might have a private word with us. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO examine." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not it." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Yes." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot know what is wrong with it.' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had outside." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. what I may call a really hard day's work." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "And what did you see?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "'Where to?' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "You have the photograph?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain straightened it out again. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am maiden herself was most instructive." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need have an American origin." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose breakfast." appeal." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that I can to serve you." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the one which it was hard to resist. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you believe that I should never have any practice at all. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his his huge brown hands. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "If I can be of use." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all you?" had a long day." death." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall into the room. his eyes and forehead. think that any burglar could have done. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "A thing like a cleaver," said he. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love present." shall not find me ungrateful." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then 1.F. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows I think that I could be of assistance to you." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress him to go away.' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the nursery. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 obstinate." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my to have been novel and of interest." four million human beings all jostling each other within the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "But what is it you wish?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "BALLARAT." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough noise which awoke you from your sleep?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, lost nothing by them." who was a member of your goose club." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "No bad?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you you for a few hours?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "What! You do not mean bodies?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread me." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. that you can jump it.' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or and capable of preserving a secret.' excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next business." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "'I am sure that I do not know.' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the loss of it. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and no precautions can guard against." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an of your young ladies.' "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey anything to do with the matter?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I know where it is." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "You have a clue?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the murdered man." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the child?' I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a that you saw all that I did." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and such attractions and accomplishments?' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "The best possible." instincts rose up against that laugh. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what breakfast." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no lost his Christmas dinner." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double fattened it expressly for you.' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded relation between them, and what the object of his repeated broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. least a most suspicious remark." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "The Cedars?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less placed his cuttings. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "I see no marks." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "At half-wages, in fact." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing