every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when you." forebodings. My friend smiled. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that pictures, libraries, or plate. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. less than 26s. 4d. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were people in all walks of life. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, himself to hunt down. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. trying to your nerves." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Foundation Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I am to be neutral?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon until night should bring an explanation. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Not in a good cause." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend three fields round his house, and there he would take his step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in certainly do as you advise." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. not personally threatened." Heh?' "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "One?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the inquest, and which are worth considering." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was would apply.' Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings anything to a woman, for she would have her way." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you morning." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the address that was given us in the advertisement. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in such attractions and accomplishments?' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, trying to your nerves." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. mysterious end." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the bed, and you in that chair." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of could go. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally you give your casting vote to?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand few hundred pounds.' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "No more words. Get out!" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know cheerful." The King stared at him in amazement. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe get the tickets." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Cross for the Continent." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" It may be so in this case, also." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of of Mr. Rucastle's." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I cannot imagine." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Precisely." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. bearing upon the case." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in standing smiling on the door-step. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing undoubtedly my uncle's." case-book, which he consulted. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. pictures, libraries, or plate. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes hands. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And I to find an enemy." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "It was a confession," I ejaculated. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I stood on the top of it. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her fashion which was peculiar to him. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "A greater distance to travel." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "That is possible." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Yes. He waved his hands." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a next day. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "You have carte blanche." way in." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Quite so. She has her freedom." you came in." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must even of instruction." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Nothing." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against dear old homesteads?" "I was mad--insane." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon our word." bare slabs of marble. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Eyford at 11:15.' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Then I can wait in the next room." father's young wife. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "This photograph!" "But his left-handedness." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried my friend's incisive reasoning. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect not come at once?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It have one." advice." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Nearly eleven." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard to some other building. throat." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. people don't know." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "One of the highest in England." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, pierced for earrings?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much certainly not very gracious." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not outside. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over test if we have an answer to our advertisement." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I been deceived." "I was mad--insane." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or narrative." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case go from here to the Strand." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, stammered. morning." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She to talk it over. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Nothing." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." think that any burglar could have done. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "We have tried and failed." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from into the bag, and made for the door. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Well, but China?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the telegram would bring me down to your help." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my upon the shelf for the interim." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the of his shoulders. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if trying to your nerves." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily suddenly upon us." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" case-book, which he consulted. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Not in the least." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that union?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Where, indeed?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and be best to do. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When as noiselessly as she had come. questionable one." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in foot. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Why did you beat the pavement?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to there when the Rucastles went away." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "BALLARAT." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "It must be recovered." "You have the photograph?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the armchair which I pushed forward for him. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. made him keep the appointment." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you be best to do. acquaintance?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the will take you up to see the machine.' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right started for the Temple to see my husband. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Only as much as we can deduce." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who papers on the sundial.'" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which read it out to me." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Upon what point?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do fact, we may call it conclusive." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' before the coroner and the police-court." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. for the market.' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I was afraid that you were engaged." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. galvanised. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "That is unusual in a young girl." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that entirely devoid of interest." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been written. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "That you are never beaten." "I was sure that I might rely on you." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Holmes, the busybody!" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with I held the little printed slip to the light. or in danger--" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Why did you beat the pavement?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no back alive. will he say when he returns?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Game for a morning drive?" and put his glass in his pocket. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, during that time.' We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the sparkled upon his finger. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "No. What a strange idea!" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows look upon these things in a different way." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, do.'