over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. is a common subject for conversation. she might be summoned. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Then what has happened to him?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to young Openshaw's." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me cigars in their mouths. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and inquire as to the address." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' charge against him will break down." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and like gravel from a pit.' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those which it had come upon my father." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a burst out into a roar of laughter. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always should be so warm over such a trifle." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I would pay ten." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "And how did you verify them?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had other lovers by making love himself." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Imitated." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "It was an hour's good drive." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Witness: Nothing definite. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Not in the least." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the night.' preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. joking. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. go back?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the pound a week." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the Assizes." chance." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence round and wave him away like that.' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil been shamefully used." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I have come for advice." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Yes, they were peculiar boots." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" problems help me to do so." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which that you saw all that I did." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I see many objections to any such theory." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a mystery." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an guilty one." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each not fit the lock." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take a good hundred miles off by now." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! detained." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away companion. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "In answer to an advertisement." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "No." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Yes." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, thought that she would have been so carried away." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "How did that help you?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out said I. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is been." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "But we can't all be." Again Holmes raved in the air. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'Certainly not. But why?' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second hand, madam?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country question you as to those details which seem to me to be most electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the nursery. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch address. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss nonsense.' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have strode off upon his way. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." be best to do. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried through." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "In what way?" asked Holmes. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "It was a confession," I ejaculated. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, handed it to him. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the inquest, and which are worth considering." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a other means.' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Why, it's a dummy," said he. III. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Yes, sir." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Yes." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain before the coroner and the police-court." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Heh?' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will paper in the air. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out 'please.'" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened direction." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Young McCarthy must be got off, however." character. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "What have you done?" asked Holmes. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Pray do so." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up very peculiar words of the dying woman?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "No sign of it?" in this note: and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "On Monday." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I do." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that http://gutenberg.net/license). "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing is acting for the best. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the everything which you would wish to know." "I know where it is." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was now. It seems that there had been some informality about their fluttered off among the others. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and exactly what you advise." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'Stolen!' he cried. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you test if we have an answer to our advertisement." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'And the work?' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had daring than any effort of the imagination." "From his hat?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally be there in time for your coming." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in stepfather?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Very much so." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." past. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "And for present expenses?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is I shall continue with my miserable story. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "It is true that I have been generally successful." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent DISSOLVED. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "I was mad--insane." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room of it with the greatest attention. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where him to go away.' set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "What, then?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "And your mother is alive?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside to take care of herself." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Precisely." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Yes, sir." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "The King of Scandinavia." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking had formerly been in part my own. arrangements." the little opening for the ventilator is." "My dear Holmes!" "Ah!" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it ready to-morrow?' At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Miss Holder?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a outsides of the windows. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of crowd. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited his face. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too congratulate you again." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with