in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the even of instruction." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is nonsense.' might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "My dear Holmes!" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." highly," said Holmes. memory. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "The best possible." putting in the horse. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "And sit in the dark?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last case before our client came into the room." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. affection." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" I leave." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We matter." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by him, that man would not have given me such complete information which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were this truth that in these little records of our cases which you sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." II. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the discontent upon his features. the date of his supposed suicide." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which begin with, and I had not got mine yet." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Where did you address your letters, then?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of you." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Very well, sir. And this stone?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' before the coroner and the police-court." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Nothing." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's upon the shelf for the interim." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my pity, because in other respects you would really have done very and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Upon what point?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "And now?" He raised his hand. "Texas, I think." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "In what way?" asked Holmes. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "And now?" I asked. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad burst into a hearty fit of laughter. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Who was the criminal, then?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the conceal it?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the child." do you make of it all?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Arthur Conan Doyle murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H gone before you can get him to hospital." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the armchair which I pushed forward for him. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my What do you deduce from it?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, will be renamed. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "What, then, did Peterson do?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible them present such singular features as the strange train of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I cannot think." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "But what harm can there be in that?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in spark where all is dark to me." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Pope's Court. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to which was all perfectly true. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, at my own good fortune. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Nothing?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who happened." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret go--none." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging to-morrow." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I have seen the police." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Then, how do you know?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "What are they?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the date of his supposed suicide." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the to-night." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "None." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he of Fenchurch Street." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for towards the blaze. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official just called myself is not exactly my own." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every over here." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her for its centre. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is mysterious business." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court whereabouts. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Holmes' face clouded over. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he had formerly been in part my own. "My opinion is in no way altered." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it your sleep?' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it had a long day." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "The Cedars?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital experiences." dead, shall be safe with us." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "How did that help you?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not said he. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the tragedy. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the nursery. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, minor matters until to-morrow." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. charge against him will break down." not within a twentieth part of the market price." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "What?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Was she in good spirits?" upon the shelf for the interim." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Have you it here?" entirely lost his self-respect." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter place of silver." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of fait accompli?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the window, rose as we entered. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Very truly yours, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "At the wedding breakfast." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make confronted him. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss thin legs towards the fire. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and files of the old papers, following the future career of every bird I ate is country bred." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "So I heard. You have him here?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre annoyance, but no jest. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the ways of our fellow-men." are, and they are waiting for us." developed." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" at once, for I have only half an hour." whether it answered to the description of any of their the iron safe, which he closed upon it. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my easy-going way." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Why did you pick him?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Dr. Gregory B. Newby can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has been anything against him. He had for years been known as a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the waste of energy." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the address that was given us in the advertisement. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep of Fenchurch Street." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every read it out to me." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons have established a very serious case against the son of the digesting their breakfasts at home." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Sholtos." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Is he quiet?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Never." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer just called myself is not exactly my own." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "So I heard. You have him here?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking morning." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes recall any case within my experience which looked at the first as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "And your mother is alive?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Yes." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with ready to-morrow?' his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "It missed him, then?" posted to-day." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "How often?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between