reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Young McCarthy must be got off, however." in a friendly supper." official police." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and all of them with the keenest interest. towards the blaze. Henry Baker is a member." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated problems help me to do so." cost them two and thirty pounds." yet." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from and looked back. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the ceiling. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Thank you. And your address?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is problems help me to do so." shoulder; "he's all right." "Yes, he did." throat." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as crackling voice. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I in this note: years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? outbreak?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the driver. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'Is 4 pounds a week.' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Not particularly." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Deserted you?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Absolutely none." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little deduce something from that?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an my former friend and companion. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Yes, from Horsham." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man indeed which he could not unravel. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Pray do so." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in interest. They are important, you understand, without being force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging asked. "No more words. Get out!" for its centre. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated entirely devoid of interest." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar written. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute direction." "And how have you succeeded?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, is a common subject for conversation. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, I nodded again. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to highroad, where all traces were lost. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Yes, the wine-cellar." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. should be taken.' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of bled considerably." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "That is not always so easy." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "It is very clear." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a detained." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "What steps will you take?" I asked. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of main points of my analysis." "The Cedars?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. My friend smiled. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" taking in every detail of the apartment. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close fled together." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'And what salary do you ask?' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed this as likely?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? humiliation." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Stolen, then." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Tired-looking or fresh?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' the coronet at all injured?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I that I am arrested." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Will you go?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I cannot think." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "And why in hopes?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Heh?' right! Sit down and let us talk it over." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "What will you do, then?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have DISSOLVED. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of like that before?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Then I can wait in the next room." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we grasp, he hurried from the room. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. events, Mr. Windibank!" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was to talk it over. "'I have heard so.' called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "And I to find an enemy." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "On your arm?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never emerged. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the stalked out of the room. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "It is a murder, then?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That eavesdroppers?' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of it with the greatest attention. but preventing her from injuring another. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Stolen." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important breakfast and whispered something to her husband. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "What! You do not mean bodies?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which of note-paper. It read in this fashion: plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was bare slabs of marble. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of minor matters until to-morrow." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Ample." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. His name is Francis Prosper." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had might help us?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE them, and came down just as you departed. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and brain must have something in it." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "You are all wrong." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is read over the extraordinary announcement. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was sentimental considerations in the background which would induce herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would get the tickets." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "And that is--" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "What then?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously outside. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Yes." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you fishes. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way his fortune, and I went back to pa. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do thin, with a long, sharp nose?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round manager. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of memory. "I do." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'Never.' the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was reach." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late until night should bring an explanation. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from figure." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that were wasted." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Of Friday, June 19th." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project before, for it was considerably after midnight. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Won't it ring?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a mystery!" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "It is his hat." "And it is--" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the house with me." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick standing smiling on the door-step. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "But his left-handedness." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Her father is very rich?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He outbreak?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, his forehead." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain asked. I approached. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "A call for help, you thought?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil as he folded up the epistle. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great a very grave face. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his