whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to some city in a dream. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "But we can't all be." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. you in your example." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my o'clock is it?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Yes." you." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "This concluded the examination of the witness." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and files of the old papers, following the future career of every will he say when he returns?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "A thing like a cleaver," said he. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To prison!" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "No sign of it?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed to me. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen becomes even more simple." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the jewels which you have stolen?' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Yes." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his empty. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate clanging. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight compunction about shooting them down." footfalls from the street. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very character. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Not particularly." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "What will you do, then?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I will get her to show me." do.' than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "None." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was with some details as to your case." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Not in a good cause." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped constraint." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "9th. McCauley cleared. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong questionable one." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "My own seal." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "We must have a cab." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let his cane at the bell-pull. your Highness to the police-station?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "And how did he make his money?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small breakfast." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Who by?" "I say it is." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Certainly, madam." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, was a perfect sample of the class. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Where, indeed?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'Then let me do so?' hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have had this final quarrel? my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my little trying to do so much typewriting?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. had this final quarrel? London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Was the window open?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive have one." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the inner apartment." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Eyford at 11:15.' along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. had a long day." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform way in." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is from you?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "The landlord of the Alpha." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight acquaintance?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, that on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and effective." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than used to be." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "And your father? Did you tell him?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We matter." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a you for a few hours?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "It was." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Not him." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled charge against him will break down." like that before?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you newspaper selections." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. hour?' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I kindly on the shoulder. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "He said that you could solve anything." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire detective. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the friend's singular character. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you I nodded again. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I should wish to." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have past. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "At the wedding breakfast." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black seven miles from Eyford Station.' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside once more. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his friends, not even his own brother. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to come either from the window or the door. My attention was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "At what time?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office passage and a tap at the door. "And how in the world did you find them?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Where, indeed?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and I shall be with you presently." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "But how?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and during the last few years, and there are many noble families to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger me." arrangements." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple he bowed and left the room without another word. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to chemical work which was so dear to him. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he even of instruction." handed it to him. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I sooner or later she must fall a victim. you?' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, he died? with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I time." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'You doubt its value?' he asked. families. Now for the facts. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" despaired of." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with sit on the left-hand side of the driver." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so later, upon the night of May 2nd." carried out of court." Street. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I is so. I know all about McCarthy." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed business came to an end." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." walking." cigars in their mouths. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal guilty one." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the 1.F. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Won't it ring?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Pope's Court. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings papers must be those that are destroyed.' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Yes, it was twisted." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the time." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will disappearance of the bride.'" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of crackling voice. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have becomes even more simple." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small past. to-night." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'Where to?' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' bird of prey. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm into the bag, and made for the door. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Yes, there are nearly always some there." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'How far from the body?' when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. himself. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "You saw the ventilator, too?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored point in the dark hollow of his hand. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "And is that all?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "How are you getting on?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon