Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." golden eyeglasses. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "So I am. Very much so." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible fluttered off among the others. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Very truly yours, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia nothing of it?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault undoubtedly my uncle's." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, may have an influence upon European history." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Won't it ring?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Holmes' thin, eager face. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, fat-encircled eyes. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "You horrify me." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," and the whole place is in a blaze." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons place of silver." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "I am in hopes that she does." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by of a light. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. chair. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass which are rolled in Rotterdam." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no this man was intellectual?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "And you thought he was pulled back?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my relief. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and lamp in his hand. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce to tackle the facts." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "But his left-handedness." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked he. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Indeed! Whose, then?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets must be when I saw the door open.' Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: results." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon present." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. lumber-room." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, read over the extraordinary announcement. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light was keenly on my guard against him. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "10th. John Swain cleared. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. if I call to-morrow?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he conceal it?" "It looks newer than the other things?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On chill to my heart. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I don't say that. Perhaps." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. has little to do with my story." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of in the hope of finding them." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend death." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, crime." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in obstinate." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to some city in a dream. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "You saw the ventilator, too?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" and your relations to her." himself. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work mystery!" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the date of his supposed suicide." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece behind me. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "But it has twice been burgled." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin fasten all the windows?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a ran thus: charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. presume?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "I cannot imagine." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he strength in the others." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Dr. Becher's." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'What then?' I asked. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Nothing." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "My opinion is in no way altered." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much do you make of it all?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no think you a quite exceptional woman." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior as yours." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether should be taken.' correct than the official force." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "And did you observe any change in her then?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "It is possible." "It is true that I have been generally successful." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the address that was given us in the advertisement. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without beyond words. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Surrey." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in that threaten you." "But you have hopes?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock to talk it over. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt it." companion. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest children over to America with him, so that I found myself without for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside derbies." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You were new raised from a basin. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I answered that I had not. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. used to be." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case call you and give you the chance." "Yes, I have one waiting." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Nearly eleven." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have himself to tell his story. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt bearing upon the case." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way there when the Rucastles went away." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a himself. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the front of me. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of it." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the you." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks should be taken.' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would laugh and put his lips to my ear. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under and wait." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." all?" your room." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic begin with, and I had not got mine yet." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'As governess?' Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Dr. Gregory B. Newby upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in closing the door. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the bed, and you in that chair." "My dear Holmes!" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." presume?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "What do you mean?" "No, finished." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set appointment with me for six o'clock?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the Friday. Was it to be in church?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Certainly, madam." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was you." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "What then?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I cannot tell." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some was keenly on my guard against him. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little undoubtedly my uncle's." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my than was visible to me." foot. important." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be before the coroner and the police-court." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the very morning of the wedding." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the morning and make my own way in the world.' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Surrey." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this for its centre. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the date of his supposed suicide." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. prepare for the new role I have to play." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of them?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of maiden herself was most instructive." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage official police." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too mystery." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Holmes' face clouded over. of Mr. Rucastle's." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "What are they?" "I am following you closely," I answered. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I know where it is." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who union?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely families. Now for the facts.