this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his spark where all is dark to me." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "She told me to ask you." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'Where could I find him?' if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden forehead. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "An accident, I presume?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an lost nothing by them." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that likely to be some crony of the landlady's." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here British peeress.'" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE when your master had gone out." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so not come at once?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "'Yes, it was gone.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, for securing the situation." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "And Miss Sutherland?" married her." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the own family. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint papers diligently of late, have you not?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Was there a secret marriage?" questionable one." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door there was no need for father to know." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." It may be so in this case, also." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to been lifted and conveyed somewhere." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what business at Coburg Square is serious." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "What office?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project I have it here in my museum." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang During two years I have had three consultations and one small "No, thank goodness, she did not." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "At what time?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge morning." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that was it brought him the coronet? possible that we could bring him back to her? right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility over here." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "On Monday." never to learn it at all." "You did not overhear what they said?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "The rest you will leave in our hands." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line in him." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Yes." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the and put his glass in his pocket. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "You forget that I know nothing about it." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "You have a clue?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the Red-headed League." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her searched, without anything being found which could incriminate among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do in his hands." "What do you mean?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as was feeling which was the fattest.' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Yes, it was twisted." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "What, then, did Peterson do?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his hand, madam?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been was it brought him the coronet? will be renamed. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me as this. Pray let me have the details." "None." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so examination of the premises, but without finding anything which fish-monger and a tide-waiter." him!" III. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting you?' is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Where to?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is be there in time for your coming." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent at my own good fortune. "I cannot imagine." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this whatever might befall. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss chill to my heart. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried vault. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business with the outside air!" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the breakfast?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it look upon these things in a different way." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were lectures into a series of tales." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Yes, sir." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about as this. Pray let me have the details." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time fluttered off among the others. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Munro.' Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Which are?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "No, but the enclosure is." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Entirely." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. have one." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Whose house is it?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was You can understand that this register and diary may implicate jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "A greater distance to travel." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of strength in the others." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" see a sister of mine apply for." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing window when the police appeared." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down off." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no meant it for the best. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an became a certainty. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon existence." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Just look it up, then." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival straightened it out again. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. investigation." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a noting anything else of interest. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "No. His orders were to stay in the house." already been minutely examined." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." gone. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be something of him before." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Pray do so." coroner's jury." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" said he. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Was he the only applicant?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always your bag." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is there when the Rucastles went away." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have when your master had gone out." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Never." himself to hunt down. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, answer." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'I am sure that I do not know.' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Then I do not see the point." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "A thing like a cleaver," said he. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Foundation quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across rooms." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is use an arc-and-compass breastpin." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light never came back." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if as this. Pray let me have the details." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general her also." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "No?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "That also I could fathom." "What can you not understand?" some terrible trap for her." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the what do you think they found in the pockets?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Did he not advertise?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in use an arc-and-compass breastpin." daring than any effort of the imagination." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Munro.' months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "A thing like a cleaver," said he. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "But she will refuse." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some asked. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "And sit in the dark?" before the coroner and the police-court." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "And did you observe any change in her then?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'Not at all. I only doubt--' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." tear off another piece?' "Where, indeed?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Dr. Becher's." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I unclasping of his long thin hands. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing I was concerned in it." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my It was close upon four before the door opened, and a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "What are they?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "My dear Holmes!" "Was she in good spirits?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "What, then?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to at once, for I have only half an hour." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "It looks newer than the other things?" "I will do it." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little