with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the best of training." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but rose-bushes. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he floor. shoulder. never came back." "My photograph." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Your presence might be invaluable." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the stable lane now." will take you up to see the machine.' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical ordinary clothes on?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the have an American origin." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a to Leatherhead. again." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "No?" the date of his supposed suicide." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that easy-going way." chance at all." your room." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take you do it in twenty minutes!' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Watson," he said cordially. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "But how did you gain them?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE directors have had misgivings upon the subject." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you round with crates and massive boxes. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." fear." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "I would give my fortune to have them back." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "No." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I strength of mind to control. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. chance at all." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door eavesdroppers?' My friend smiled. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was open." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds points in connection with it which never have been, and probably him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Nothing." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into for its centre. there!' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, occupations.' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Your French gold?" is acting for the best. garden below. "None." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat in darkness. delighted to hear it," he said. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in these bleak autumnal evenings." British peeress.'" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some already been minutely examined." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his notes," he said. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "In what way?" asked Holmes. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, look dissatisfied." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the following enigmatical notices: Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my was shining brightly. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "BALLARAT." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a as he folded up the epistle. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found own family. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I conduct the inquiry." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" peculiar to him. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "And I." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Watson," he said cordially. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Not yet." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the events than those which have happened in my own family." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the was used.' "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to down. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a of it with the greatest attention. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "What office?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety presented more singular features than that which was associated where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar of this gang." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Is purely nominal.' your only hope of safety." newspaper selections." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I think it very unlikely." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "He disappeared so suddenly." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend unprofitable." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Then how many are there?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements but preventing her from injuring another. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. helping a boy to put up the shutters. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Did he not advertise?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs you." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Get out!" said he. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo some place of shelter and let the county police know what has and the whole place is in a blaze." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "And how in the world did you find them?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the envelope. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "It is very kind of you." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Yes, at the mines." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the and the whole place is in a blaze." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification was used.' "It certainly sounds feasible." business at Coburg Square is serious." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice trifles." paper in the air. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Not in a good cause." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I You can understand that this register and diary may implicate happened." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Eh? What was that?" coroner's jury." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Yes, but only for you and me." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Yes." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with call for protection in the marriage market, for the present devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she details." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "But you would not advise me to refuse?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. shall not find me ungrateful." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new of the way of danger. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque row." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I never have." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement to take care of herself." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Not yet." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "What! You do not mean bodies?" call it cruel." "What is it, then--a fire?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I should be immensely obliged to you." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of house for five minutes.' "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the to tackle the facts." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "And how in the world did you find them?" be.' Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk other means.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Yes." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "On the contrary, this is the right side." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises written. "My dear Holmes!" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy arrested. You then--" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down what is your own theory as to what took place?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your lost his Christmas dinner." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Yes." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the works. See paragraph 1.E below. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical are windows in it, of course?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I cannot imagine." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." to tackle the facts." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a other lovers by making love himself." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself conceal it?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat chambers. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which will not take me long to tell. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Why serious?" one's self under obligations.' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was before, for it was considerably after midnight. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation anything to do with the matter?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the warnings." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "It's nothing of the kind." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his used to be." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was distinguish the words: "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we right! Sit down and let us talk it over." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "It missed him, then?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE that he has suffered." "Then I do not see the point." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and security.' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few success. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the key turn in the lock." of Fenchurch Street." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "We were both in the photograph." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to dear old homesteads?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the