next day. that you saw all that I did." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Well." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel a little more before I quite committed myself. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Pope's Court, Fleet Street." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack bed dies. Does not that strike you?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than colour had been driven from his face. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of long narrative. Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'Why that?' I asks. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an floor. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the loss of it. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a people don't know." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "She will not sell." sparkled upon his finger. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I warn you that they are very incomplete." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they man. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the window, rose as we entered. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and girl said." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully something of him before." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his there was no need for father to know." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." heavy and sharp instrument." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where future lives." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely weary and pale-looking. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door one or two very singular points about this room. For example, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. clanging. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'Where could I find him?' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up occurred." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy particular state visit http://pglaf.org endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Cross for the Continent." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I answered that I had not. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "But the mystery?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the devil!" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "'Quite sure, dad.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I was mad--insane." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Because he was handy and would come cheap." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not to-night?" I asked. himself. "I will do it." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong and all of them with the keenest interest. where we are going." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love important." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Your sister is dead, then?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By beyond words. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "You were travelling in the States?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. manager. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'What, the red-headed man?' "Her father is very rich?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which pierced for earrings?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was intrusion of other matters." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "One?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, formed some opinion?" "'Yes, sir.' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "That sounds a little paradoxical." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she 1.F. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the have established a very serious case against the son of the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival dramatic, in fact." may have an influence upon European history." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I would pay ten." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her beyond words. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the general public were present, then?" door?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced words came to my lips. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Why serious?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the depend upon your compliance." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "But how?" "And now?" He raised his hand. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Munro.' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we even so self-evident a thing as that." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "A call for help, you thought?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of look dissatisfied." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black nothing of it?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "No bad?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is morning." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced light and attacked it." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Proceed, then." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. that, and I came down." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. wedding?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, you for a few hours?" through." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark relief. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret you want, then?' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he electronic works know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "And how in the world did you find them?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Certainly." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." http://www.gutenberg.net during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the cigar and let me expound." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "What?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, lips." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. had died away into the silence from which it rose. you." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Why did you beat the pavement?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of friend's singular character. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. that, and I came down." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a unkempt, staring out at me. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the had this final quarrel? together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" was shining brightly. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it as the one I chose?' "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Dr. Gregory B. Newby to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet in his hands." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one furiously. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to had this final quarrel? though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Sutherland?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Witness: I must still refuse. occurred." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was heavily into it. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We cause to be." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of minor matters until to-morrow." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the served to weaken the effect. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the closely." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible noise which awoke you from your sleep?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Nothing." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "ARAT," I read. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "And it is--" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Very murderous indeed." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have of." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I did not hear it also.' and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To individual and becomes the badge of a society." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be photograph?" disappearance of the bride.'" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "We must have a cab." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Pope's Court. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged cheerful." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as relation between them, and what the object of his repeated villagers almost as much as their master. "But how?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Were they all fastened this morning?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "He disappeared so suddenly." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "What of the rat, then?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Have you it here?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he was a perfect sample of the class. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Why did you beat the pavement?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Murdered?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Was your sister dressed?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for invisible to me," I remarked. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I think that it is very probable." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, been shamefully used." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to