side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you direction." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I would pay ten." "Certainly." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I standing smiling on the door-step. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' upon the white wrist. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in your bag." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the really the only notable feature about the thing." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project London for the present?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Sutherland. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the which are rolled in Rotterdam." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother away into the river." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "You heard nothing yourself last night?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, daring than any effort of the imagination." "But you have hopes?" manager. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Holmes' face clouded over. "I would pay ten." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Yes, from Horsham." obstinate." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear DAMAGE. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Stoke Moran?" said he. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "'Then let me do so?' looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "It may not come to that," said Holmes. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Yes, there are nearly always some there." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "She walked into the breakfast-room." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "What shall I do?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'And the work?' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'Is purely nominal.' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to with the outside air!" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the so-precious time, but come!' unkempt, staring out at me. is acting for the best. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "I say it is." "Yes, but only for you and me." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "And why in hopes?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "You have a clue?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'Where could I find him?' Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the do you make of it all?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some you." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat speckled band?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Your French gold?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in stepfather?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. already been minutely examined." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell character. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the house with me." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "What, then, did Peterson do?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'What, the red-headed man?' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project during that time.' "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I them?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was closing the door. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns you understand?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this DISSOLVED. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in very peculiar words of the dying woman?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience of campaign. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Your presence might be invaluable." "I would give my fortune to have them back." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A to affect your life." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped singular points about the case. What did the police think of the relief. true." stalked out of the room. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss flock.' forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'Ten to two.' "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with galvanised. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the room while you explain this matter?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "How did you trace it, then?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." that you saw all that I did." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Not particularly." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "You saw the ventilator, too?" outbreak?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom disappearance of these gems?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to him nearly every evening." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "But it has twice been burgled." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "And what did you see?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Dark enough and sinister enough." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken long narrative. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Chief Executive and Director snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was his face. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Where, then, is my wife?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers washing it down with a long draught of water. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. have accepted such a situation. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, companion. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me have not had my rubber." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to his chemical studies. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I guilty parties." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front for and were ordered to this address. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come bell. Holmes whistled. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "But it has twice been burgled." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my cheerful." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Why did you beat the pavement?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the child." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind never to learn it at all." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Miss Holder?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, I nodded to show that I had heard. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were depend upon my doing so.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Did you observe the colour?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I am armed." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked three fields round his house, and there he would take his possible that we could bring him back to her? six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as whatever might befall. "He might." manager. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Did he not advertise?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "It missed him, then?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with which are rolled in Rotterdam." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and very morning of my second wedding." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I should be immensely obliged to you." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" waste of energy." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he written. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the will take you up to see the machine.' "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Project Gutenberg-tm works. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." tell me that you intended to go into harness." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." envelope. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Of what day?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given leaning back in his chair. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable lectures into a series of tales." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to vanished into the darkness. a suggestive one." "No legal papers or certificates?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say how narrow had been my escape. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for client, rising. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "What do you make of that, Watson?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'Never,' said I. chemical work which was so dear to him. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser gives a meaning to it." "And why?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "And your father? Did you tell him?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, any more." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the get the tickets." "'Is purely nominal.' that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the will he say when he returns?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "I will get her to show me." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your have one." head. So long, then!" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. horse could go." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "That is it on the dressing-table." "I never have." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not fluttered off among the others. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and him nearly every evening." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you lectures into a series of tales." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "You forget that I know nothing about it." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease,