to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered enter Dr. Roylott's room." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would annoyance, but no jest. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other never to learn it at all." heavily into it. she might be summoned. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "That is unusual in a young girl." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the highly," said Holmes. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Why did you pick him?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Sholtos." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' that you can jump it.' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled new acquaintance to Baker Street. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, it." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "It was." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Yesterday." footfalls from the street. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning populous neighbourhood." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the child." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is points to suicide?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the dangers which encompass me." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger used to be." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Surrey." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" problems help me to do so." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Holmes' room. "Then what has happened to him?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six visitors." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you crackling voice. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," not as remarkable as your advertisement." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in introspective fashion. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole meant." will not take me long to tell. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was all-comprehensive glances. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, had a long day." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached gone. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of and glanced through. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Where did he live, then?" straightened it out again. off." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the morning." "Yes." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the carriage. It was a chestnut." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Arthur Conan Doyle true." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather been able to understand it, in a very few words. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out into the room. shaken than I had ever seen him. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the night.' Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather thought that she would have been so carried away." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little morning." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned chambers. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid at home. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn fattened it expressly for you.' sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "And I say east," said my patient. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie subject to the trademark license, especially commercial trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be his knees, staring into the fire. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my and no precautions can guard against." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were past. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, shoulder. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold this unhappy family?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been some city in a dream. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the running down." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "How can you tell that?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the matter." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a yards of it?' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "You forget that I know nothing about it." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "But what will you do?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "If so, much may have happened between." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but notes," he said. Dr. Gregory B. Newby three of the beryls in it, was missing. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the child." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate humiliation." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without once more. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist himself to tell his story. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and official police." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the be best to do. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "She told me to ask you." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'Where to?' "It's nothing of the kind." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with had no one to advise her at such a crisis." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the coronet at all injured?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss woman." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "You think that he is dead?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "You forget that I know nothing about it." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Yes, only one." "The King of Scandinavia." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy your billet.' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "No, I had a dozen." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, criminal. We have already had experience of such." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned companion. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Not particularly." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send and capable of preserving a secret.' could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the instincts rose up against that laugh. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding article?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "You think that he is dead?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "No, I think that I'll take it." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made three of the beryls in it, was missing. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the bed, and you in that chair." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich not as remarkable as your advertisement." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "It is solved." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I have hopes." money should be paid at once.' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'I shall certainly be there.' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Sutherland?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "ARAT," I read. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some him to go away.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "And what did you learn from him?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has your billet.' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone here." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "We were both in the photograph." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for despaired of." pierced for earrings?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was question," said Holmes, smiling. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Pray tell us what has happened to you." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in back to my heart. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Yes, I have one waiting." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the tragedy. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Pool. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Farm upon the left." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "You know me, then?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Eh? What was that?" "By all means." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the quick march!" on in his house." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'Stolen!' he cried. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "My own seal." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I union?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very