"I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "That is unusual in a young girl." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head all?" see a sister of mine apply for." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' forecastle of an emigrant ship. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in discontent upon his features. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of golden eyeglasses. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the that he will be back before evening." least a fellow-countryman. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Holmes' face clouded over. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "It is half-past ten now." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six clanging. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "This photograph!" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I shall be delighted." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had stepfather?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our http://www.gutenberg.net thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and seven miles from Eyford Station.' feature." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to During two years I have had three consultations and one small ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect recall any case within my experience which looked at the first about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the over with notes and figures. have I gained?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness I held the little printed slip to the light. "Stolen." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is have established a very serious case against the son of the "Then you may be so with me." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the than to us. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a electronic works memory. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, exactly what you advise." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he generous with you in money matters.' company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' carpenter." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your to take care of herself." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Yes." salesman. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the and I shall be with you presently." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Yes, there are nearly always some there." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband when you have done it." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Absolutely none." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Witness: I must still refuse. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Why, it's a dummy," said he. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far at my own good fortune. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." that, and I came down." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." before, for it was considerably after midnight. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I License. You must require such a user to return or bird of prey. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, developed." "Have you her photograph?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature round and wave him away like that.' tell me that you intended to go into harness." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "But we can't all be." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and it need not interfere very much with one's other The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "She will not sell." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric easy-going way." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to one or two very singular points about this room. For example, time." "You think so, too?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "But his left-handedness." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which detained." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect when you have done it." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" read over the extraordinary announcement. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I promise," said Holmes. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "How did you trace it, then?" electronic works finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal was a perfect sample of the class. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your relief. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Very murderous indeed." than was visible to me." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more me, and I could not think that his explanation of the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, key of the affair now." "She told me to ask you." floor. "Upon what point?" "On your arm?" prepare for the new role I have to play." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the very morning of the wedding." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "And the murderer?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors both be extremely obliged.' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court death." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now away in different directions, and I went off to make my own turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my it right.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and looked back. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "None." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Get out!" said he. seven miles from Eyford Station.' aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan his knees, staring into the fire. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "On Monday." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my you for a few hours?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Really! You surprise me." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "If I can be of use." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to how narrow had been my escape. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "By no means." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Cross for the Continent." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father your bag." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble in. as he remarks, very much against the son." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some of it with the greatest attention. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony carriage. It was a chestnut." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "You are all wrong." and that he would see to anything that turned up. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the empty. "'Certainly not.' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Sutherland?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Countess of Morcar's?" people in all walks of life. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The business." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Very murderous indeed." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in helping a boy to put up the shutters. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, was keenly on my guard against him. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of upon a handsome competence. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "His face fell immediately. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the drawing your inferences." Henry Baker is a member." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "She will not sell." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "You know me, then?" husband's writing, madam." gone. o'clock is it?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which a monotonous occupation." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His are windows in it, of course?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "You did not overhear what they said?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should side. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away looking up at the numbers of the houses." "But what will you do?" him!" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the coronet in his hand?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." chamber." of Mr. Rucastle's." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Then I can wait in the next room." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled any little problem which you may submit to me." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Project Gutenberg-tm works. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe shall not find me ungrateful." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was sound at heart." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money better grown goose." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to in the hope of finding them." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." but preventing her from injuring another. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "You are hungry," I remarked. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that it." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'I have already given you my word.' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Holmes' room. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel