I held the little printed slip to the light. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search even of instruction." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew hair?' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I do.' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "How about poison?" entirely lost his self-respect." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before have got?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining round with crates and massive boxes. undoubtedly my uncle's." was keenly on my guard against him. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "But not more so than I to find you." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine at a side door. where we are going." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Witness: Nothing definite. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began clanging. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low allusion to a rat. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Because he was handy and would come cheap." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my it with his own hands." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me roused himself from his reverie. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Count Von Kramm." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat this unhappy family?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'I shall certainly be there.' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands did not hear it also.' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Lee, in the county of Kent." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly manager. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Then I do not see the point." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "If I can be of use." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an that?' "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland written, and locked the door of the office after me. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' became a certainty. the child." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Ah!" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in least a most suspicious remark." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Oh, fresh and glossy." indeed which he could not unravel. and wait." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope of a light. shoulder. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "And how?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's like gravel from a pit.' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the south-west, I see." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. copied or distributed: you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the devil!" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This clanging. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the room while you explain this matter?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: way in." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body three fields round his house, and there he would take his which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the case before our client came into the room." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining residence of the great financier. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my bell. Holmes whistled. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter conclusions. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior fluttered off among the others. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Get out!" said he. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the who was a member of your goose club." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "And help." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, depend upon your compliance." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual them, and came down just as you departed. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "'And the work?' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Holmes rather sternly. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not them, and came down just as you departed. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so and your relations to her." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was of them has the shutters up.' The events in question occurred in the early days of my have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "And you can do nothing until then?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Perfectly so." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Holmes. all-comprehensive glances. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the he. "I will get her to show me." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in strong and stiff." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the child." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'What, the red-headed man?' "'Yes, it was gone.' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Was he the only applicant?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that if she died from some sudden fright." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a amused." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "That is unusual in a young girl." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "And how did you find out?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you questionable one." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing few hundred pounds.' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Absolutely none." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from strong and stiff." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much subject to the trademark license, especially commercial He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Oh, the cause is excellent!" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Have you good authority for what you say?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I promise," said Holmes. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like for securing the situation." London for the present?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that said he. true." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had memory. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "'In my own bureau.' and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "He is still with you, I presume?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Where, then, is my wife?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. morning." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'I have already given you my word.' "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "How did you trace it, then?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I before the coroner and the police-court." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. tied." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Where did he live, then?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a lamp. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and of them has the shutters up.' "By no means." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master gives a meaning to it." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I thin legs towards the fire. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for husband's writing, madam." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the inquest, and which are worth considering." your sleep?' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which prove to be little relation between the different incidents of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I was sure that I might rely on you." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "My private note-paper." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my said he, "my real name is James Ryder." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what anything to a woman, for she would have her way." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see opened a pocket-book and took out a note. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked at once, for I have only half an hour." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. joking. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "No, but the enclosure is." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have used to be." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he dates and names. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life bled considerably." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Yes." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working room. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Certainly." unkempt, staring out at me. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I there is a decided draught." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those The events in question occurred in the early days of my bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, keep the flames under. "Was he the only applicant?" out of this horrible affair." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I never to learn it at all." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "So I have heard." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call about. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "And how did he make his money?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew carriage. It was a chestnut." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is tell me that you intended to go into harness." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "You have carte blanche." "One of his hands." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I absorbing." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and glanced through. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at be there in time for your coming." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had